In the midst of confusion and uncertainties, the country is gearing to face the 16th General Election on April 25.
There have been many who had repeatedly asked the Elections Commission (EC) whether there was the possibility of postponing the election in the light of the coronavirus pendemic. The Commission has said there was no reason to postpone the election rightnow as there was no declaration from the Government that coronavirus is a National Calamity.
Although only four days remain for the acceptance of nominations to elect 225 members to the Sri Lanka Parliament, the country is yet to know who the candidates are and the parties that will fight the battle of winning the confidence of the people.
According to reliable sources, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will sign nomination papers to enter the election fray under the leadership of the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna tomorrow (March 16). The Samagi Jana Balawegaya will hand over the list of nominations on March 19th. We have no news as to when the UNP will submit its nomination papers. The Jathika Jana Balavegaya led by the JVP will sign nomination papers tomorrow.
According to the EC, by Saturday, March 14th only four political parties had submitted their nominations and 150 Independent groups had placed their deposits, as required under the Parliamentary Elections Act.
Our Addalchenai Central Correspondent quoting Ampara District Assistant Election Commissioner Thilaka Wickremarathne, reported that eleven (11) Independent groups had deposited money at the Returning Office to contest the forthcoming general election from the Digamadulla district to represent Ampara (177,1444 voters), Pottuvil (168,7930 voters), Samanthurai (90,405 voters) and Kalmunai (77,637 voters) electorates with seven MPs at the next Parliament. The district has 513,979 persons eligible to cast their votes in 525 polling stations.
The Mahasen Balakaya will contest as an independent group. It was one of the first to hand over Nomination Paper in the Kandy District.
Amith Weerasinghe of the Mahason Balakaya handed over Nomination Papers to the Returning Officer, Kandy on March 12th. Weerasinghe, now released on bail facing charges for allegedly posting content promoting racial and religious hatred on social media, will contest from Kandy as an Independent Group.
Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulligal Party (TMVP) led by Pillayan will contest the Batticaloa district under the Boat symbol and will be supportive of the Sri Lanka Nidhahas Podu Jana Peramuna.
Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan now on bail, has obtained permission to contest the General Election, while in remand custody. Civil Appellate Court Judge D.S. Susaithas had ordered Batticaloa prison officers to make necessary arrangements for Chandrakanthan to submit his nomination papers at the Prison. Five persons including the Leader of TMVP Chandrakanthan were remanded on 11 Oct 2015 in connection with the alleged killing of former MP Joseph Pararajasingham on Christmas day in 2005.
According to our Tissamharama Group Correspondent, two Independent groups had deposited money to contest the forthcoming elections, from the Hambanthota district. Hambanthota District Secretary and Returning Officer W.H.Karunaratna, told the Sunday Observer, that all arrangements are in place for the Election. Hambanthota district has around 493,192 eligible voters, with an increase of 7,406 eligible voters compared to 2019, the year of the Presidential Election.
The Returning Officer said that 414 polling stations will be set up in the district for the convenience of the voters. He said that five Members of Parliament will be selected from the five electorates in the district - Tissamaharama, Hambantota, Tangalle, Beliatta and Mulkirigala electorates.