Sri Lanka's Historic Election Finance Regulations in 2023

For the first time, Sri Lanka's 2023 presidential election on September 21 will be under campaign finance regulations introduced in January. Candidates can spend a maximum of Rs 109 per elector, totaling around USD 5 million. Expenditure reports must be submitted within 21 days post-election.

Sri Lanka's presidential election on September 21, 2023, will be governed by campaign finance regulations for the first time, a significant shift introduced by the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act in January.

According to a gazette notification dated August 16, each candidate is limited to spending Rs 109 per elector, amounting to Rs 1,868,298,586 or approximately USD 5 million. The spending limit is distributed with candidates allowed 60% and political party secretaries 40% for campaign activities.

Political parties must submit their expenditure reports to the Elections Commission within 21 days of the election results being declared, as per the notification. A record of 39 candidates are competing, including front-runners incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and Marxist JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

(With inputs from agencies.)