REFUGEE

Dec 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the police to remove all banners, cutouts, and posters displaying his portraits in public to ensure a free and fair election.

The Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya said at a media briefing today that the President has given him clear instructions to implement the 14(1) of Presidential Act, No. 15, 1981 and remove all posters, banners, and cutouts displayed after 17 December.

The President has requested the IGP to start the operation by removing the material with his photo even before the date of nomination.

"He asked me to remove all his display material in public even before nominations are handed in," said IGP Balasuriya.

The IGP appealed to the organizers of candidates to remove them by themselves and also advised them not to display them to avoid unnecessary expenditure.

The Commissioner of Elections has promised to extend his cooperation by providing labourers, he said.