Deshapriya calls for laws to regulate media outlets during election period

Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya has called for laws to be passed in Parliament to regulate media institutions during the period of an election.

He had made this request during a meeting with the Speaker at the Parliamentary Complex yesterday (Nov 25), the Parliament's Department of Communication said.

In response, the Speaker had said that the Parliament would extend its support towards conducting a free and fair election by also passing media regulation laws.

Deshapriya's request came after he reiterated his disappointment towards the biased conduct of certain media institutions during the recently concluded presidential election.

During the meeting, the polls chief had pointed out that the parliamentary election could be held by the end of April or the beginning of May next year if President Gotabaya Rajapaksa decides to dissolve Parliament on March 1.

The President is constitutionally vested with the powers to dissolve Parliament after completing four-and-a-half years.

Meanwhile, the EC Chairman had said he hopes to recommend certain amendments to the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Act, to address certain shortcomings that had taken place during last year's provincial poll.

He had also requested the Speaker to take measures in order to pass the relevant regulations required to conduct the much-delayed provincial council election.