A recent report by the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Election Studies (IRES) reveals that several leading candidates in the 2024 Sri Lankan Presidential Election, including Sajith Premadasa, Dilith Jayaweera, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, have spent vast sums on television, radio, and newspaper advertisements. The data indicates that some candidates may have exceeded the legal spending limits set by the Election Commission, raising concerns over potential legal actions under the 2023 Election Expenditure Regulation Act.
| Candidate | Total Amount Spent (LKR) | TV Advertising (LKR) | Radio Advertising (LKR) | Newspaper Advertising (LKR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sajith Premadasa | 1,582,845,019.36 | 1,413,736,138.75 | 37,313,591.61 | 113,795,288.98 |
| Dilith Jayaweera | 838,800,632.81 | 808,799,487.66 | N/A | 24,332,996.25 |
| Ranil Wickremesinghe | 613,515,122.50 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Anura Kumara Dissanayake | 271,255,927.67 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Additional Information:
- Monitoring period: From August 15 to September 18.
- Monitoring costs for IRES: Approx. LKR 4 million.
- Maximum amount allowed for campaign expenditure in the 2024 Presidential Election: LKR 1,868,298,586.00 for 17,140,354 registered voters.
- Legal action can be taken against candidates exceeding the spending limit according to the 2023 No. 3 Election Expenditure Regulation Act.
