Government Printer claims that there is not enough security for ballot paper printing
COLOMBO, News 1st; The Government Printer states that there has not been sufficient police protection for the printing process of ballot papers.
Ganga Liyanage, Head of the Department of Government Printing, told News 1st that the printing of ballot papers in the Local Government Election is likely to be delayed.
According to the Government Printer, there were only two officers stationed at main gate as of Monday (20th).
She stated that a 65-member police force is needed to protect the printing of ballot papers.
She stated that all relevant agencies were informed of the requests.
On Monday (20), Sri Lanka’s National Election Commission has informed the Supreme Court that obstacles have arisen with regard to conducting the Local Government Election on the 9th of March 2023 as planned.
Further, the Government Printer informed Elections Commission she could not release the ballot papers until Rs. 410.6 million is paid upfront to the Department of Government Printing. This was noted in the motion submitted by the National Election Commission to The Supreme Court.
The National Election Commission noted in its motion that the Inspector General Police failed to provide security to the printing process of ballot papers. They also added that the IGP had indicated that he requires funds to conduct the election, which are approximately three times as much as the funds previously provided to Sri Lanka Police during Elections.
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