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Special traffic, security arrangements around Elections Secretariat for Nomination Day
Special traffic and security arrangements will be in place tomorrow around the Elections Secretariat at Rajagiriya, as candidates gather to hand over their nominations for the January 8 presidential poll.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Opposition’s Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena will be among nearly 18 candidates who will come to the Secretariat to hand over their nominations. It will be their first face-to-face meeting since Mr Sirisena quit the Government to contest against the incumbent President.
DIG Traffic Amarasiri Senaratne said the traffic plan will be in effect tomorrow from 8.30 am to 1 pm. During which time heavy vehicles excluding buses will be restricted from using the stretch of road from Nawala junction to Ayurveda junction.
There will also be parking restrictions in and around the Election Secretariat.
He added that, if supporters of the candidates attempt to hold processions in the area, more restrictions will have to be put in place by way of road closures.
He also advised motorists to use alternate routes wherever possible.
Meanwhile, police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said that special units will operate during the election period to ensure that elections laws are not violated. He said that posters and cutouts will be removed after Nomination day.
Meanwhile, the election campaigns of the two main candidates will begin this week. President Rajapaksa will hold his inaugural rally at Salgado Grounds, Anuradhapura, prior to which he will pay homage to the Sri Maha Bodhiya.
Leaders of the constituent parties of the UPFA, as well as senior SLFP members, will participate in the meeting.
The President will hold 30 rallies during the month-long campaign, covering all areas of the country. The campaign will wind up with meetings in Gampaha, Nugegoda and Debarawewa.
Opposition Candidate Sirisena will begin his campaign on Tuesday by visiting the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, along with the leaders of the parties backing his candidacy, to take part in an “adishtana pooja.”
His first meeting will be held the same evening at Getambe in Kandy. The Opposition will hold meetings in every electorate of the country, in the lead up to the polls.
| Candidates asked to steer clear of GCE O Level Candidates contesting the upcoming presidential poll have been asked to ensure that their campaigning does not in any way disturb thousands of students sitting for their GCE Ordinary Level this week. |