Sri Lanka Enforces Strict Campaign Finance Regulations for Presidential Election

Sri Lanka's Election Commission has implemented stringent campaign finance regulations for the upcoming presidential election. Candidates exceeding expenditure limits may face disqualification and loss of civic rights. The Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill, passed in January 2023, dictates spending limits and mandates detailed expenditure reports within 21 days of results.

Sri Lanka's Election Commission announced on Monday that any candidate violating campaign finance regulations in the upcoming presidential election could face disqualification. Such breaches of expenditure limitations in the September 21 poll would also result in the loss of civic rights for three years, according to Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake.

This presidential election marks the first time campaign finance regulations are being enforced since the enactment of the new law in January last year. The Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill, passed by Parliament on January 19, 2023, regulates expenses incurred by candidates in various elections including local, provincial, parliamentary, and presidential.

Each candidate in this year's presidential election can spend no more than Rupees 109 per elector for their propaganda activities, which totals approximately USD 5 million per candidate. A gazette notification issued on August 16 stipulated these limits, and parties are required to submit detailed expenditure reports to the Elections Commission within 21 days post results. Ratnayake emphasized that voters have the right to lodge police complaints and proceed to court if candidates are found violating the expenditure laws. Currently, 38 candidates are contesting with over 17.1 million registered voters eligible to elect a president for a five-year term.

(With inputs from agencies.)