Roads in Borella, Kotte closed for rehearsals today:

Cut-outs, posters, banners out after December 17

Sarath Malalasekera

Cut-outs, posters and banners of presidential candidates contesting the forthcoming Presidential Elections will be removed after the nomination day, December 17, Western Province Senior DIG Nimal Mediwaka told a press briefing at the Colombo DIGs office yesterday.

Two persons will be allowed to accompany each candidate to the Election Commissioner’s office to hand over nomination papers. Ten supporters of each candidate, who have obtained prior permission from the Commissioner will be allowed to enter the Election Commissioner’s premises.

A special police team had been deployed to maintain the highest standard of election laws during the nomination day and after the nomination day till the elections on January 26, 2010. Two police personnel will be deployed at each police station during the election period, Senior DIG Mediwaka said.

He appealed to the public to cooperate with the traffic police on the day of the nomination to control traffic.

Several roads in Borella and Kotte will be closed today from 9 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. during rehearsals, the Senior DIG said.

Traffic DIG Lucky Peiris said the vehicles coming to the Election Commissioner’s office on that day should follow direction given by Traffic Police Personnel to avoid any inconvenience.

Special traffic arrangements have been made for candidates to come to the Election Commissioner’s office on nomination day from Kotte Road and Borella junction. Special arrangements have been made to transport schoolchildren to O/L examinations centres, DIG Peiris said.

The public are advised to avoid Kotte Road and Sarana Road on the day of the nominations.