No public processions, gatherings, or celebrations will be permitted in any part of the country during the first week following the announcement of the election results, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa yesterday said.
He said that strict measures are now in force to maintain public order during this period. “No person shall hold or take part in any processions, gatherings, celebrations or similar activities in public places,” he said.
He said mobile patrols would be deployed across the island to ensure public order, with intelligence officers on duty this week.
According to Sri Lanka’s election laws, public processions are strictly prohibited during the election period, including the week following the announcement of results, except in specific circumstances.
As per Section 69 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, no person is permitted to conduct, hold, or participate in any procession from the start of the nomination period until one week after the declaration of results by the returning officer. Exceptions are made only for May Day processions or those held for religious or social purposes.
The law also prohibits any actions during permitted processions that are aimed at promoting a candidate or political party.
Violations are considered offences punishable by a fine of up to Rs. 50,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month, or both, upon conviction in a summary trial before a Magistrate.
