Range Bandara: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Election Commission has informed the Political Party Secretaries that it will not be able to direct the ballot papers for Postal Voting tomorrow (15), as previously planned. This was revealed by the Secretaries of the Political Parties who met with the National Election Commission on Tuesday (14) morning.Earlier, Chairman of the National Election Commission Attorney Nimal Punchihewa speaking to News 1st said that the current state of affairs surrounding the election will be discussed at the meeting. Election Monitors were also summoned for this meeting.The Secretaries of the Political Parties  revealed that the National Election Commission is yet to decide on whether or not the Local Government Election will be held on the 9th of March 2023. They also noted that the National Election Commission is likely to face an issue concerning the Ballot Papers required for postal voting.Palitha Range Bandara, the General Secretary for the United National Party told reporters that the UNP has never called for a delay in elections."How can one even ask for funds from President Ranil Wickremesinghe, after he took over a country that was literally bankrupt," he told the media while leaving the National Election Commission premises.He said that based on the meeting with the NEC it is likely the election would be delayed."If the government says it does not have the funds, if the Government Printer says it cannot print the ballot papers without payment, it is the National Election Commission that needs to decide on the matter," he added.Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya told reporters that the National Election Commission had given an undertaking to go ahead with

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and the United National Party are to meet for talks again on Tuesday (10).A senior spokesperson for the SLPP speaking to News 1st said that the meeting will take place at the President's Office.It is reported that the formation of an alliance to contest the Local Government Election, as well as to contest under one symbol among other matters will be discussed at this meeting.General Secretary of the United National Party Palitha Range Bandara said that he will attend the meeting along with Deputy Leader of the UNP Ruwan Wijewardena.The SLPP is to be represented by General Secretary Attorney Sagara Kariyawasam, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, and Sanjeewa Edirimanne.The UNP and the SLPP met for talks on Sunday (8) as well.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya says the party is ready for any election.However, he said the SJB will not agree for a Presidential Election to be held based on the personal needs of an individual with no mandate.These comments came after the General of the United National Party Palitha Range Bandara said that the ideal election to be held is the Presidential Election."Though we call for Local Government Elections, Provincial Council Elections, or even Parliamentary Elections, the ideal election for now is the Presidential Election," he said on Tuesday (20) in Colombo.He said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be put forward as the only candidate who can save the nation at the Presidential Election.