Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said that during the election period holding of political rallies at religious establishments or promoting candidates during religious ceremonies has been completely banned.

He told the media after meeting with the Chief Prelates of the Kandy Malwathu and Asgiriya chapters today, that such activities would be banned under paragraph 79 of the 1981 Parliamentary Election Act.  

However, he said that despite the ban on holding political meetings at religious establishments, there is no ban on religious leaders participating in political activities as it is their right.

The Election Commission Chairman noted that as the country’s majority are Buddhists, he had taken measures to notify the Buddhist religious leaders first regarding this decision and said that he would notify other religious leaders too regarding this ban. 

NN