The Election Commission has announced that the maximum expenditure limit for a candidate will be declared within five days from the date of nomination acceptance for the upcoming presidential election on the 15th. Chinthaka Kularatne, the Additional Election Commissioner (Legal, Investigation, and Planning), stated that the spending limit will include costs for advertising through media, meeting expenses, the establishment of election offices, and the printing and distribution of pamphlets. The spending cap will be determined based on inflation rates and the consumer price index.
According to the Additional Election Commissioner, no candidate will be allowed to exceed the authorized spending limit. Candidates must submit their election expense report within 21 days of the election results announcement. This requirement is in accordance with the Election Expenses Regulation Act No. 3 of 2023, which provides a legal framework for election spending. The expense report must include all income details received for the election and all expenses incurred, accompanied by an affidavit confirming its accuracy.
The public will have the opportunity to examine all expenses incurred by each candidate 10 days after the election and can file complaints within 42 days. Chinthaka Kularatne emphasized that candidates violating these rules could face legal proceedings through the Attorney General, resulting in a fine of up to Rs. 500,000 and a three-year prison sentence, along with disqualification from parliamentary positions. Additionally, their civic rights could be revoked for three years. The Election Commission stated that funds from state institutions, foreign organizations, organizations established by other countries in Sri Lanka, and black money should not be accepted for elections.
