Average island-wide voter turnout around 60 per cent

The average voter turnout across the island stood at about 60 per cent by 4.00 pm as polling closed a while ago. 

Heavy rains experienced in some areas has hampered voting. Rains experienced in North, Eastern, North- Western and Southern provinces briefly disrupted the voting process as fewer voters lined up at polling centres. 

However, the official voter turnout details from Election Commission are awaited. 

Rainy conditions are currently affecting parts of Mannar, Batticaloa, Galle, and Matara districts, leading to a drop in voter turnout at  some of the polling centers.

In Matara district, flooding has also been reported.

Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake told The Sunday Times, that despite a lower turnout earlier in the day, Sri Lankans traditionally cast their votes in the evening. “Even if it’s a lower percentage initially, Sri Lankans have a trend of mostly voting in the evening, so we anticipate a substantial turnout by day's end,” he said.

Meanwhile, EC Director General Saman Sri Ratnayake emphasized that the voter turnout percentage would not influence the election outcome. “According to our regulations, even with a 5% voter turnout, a winning candidate must be determined from that," he clarified.