Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka told Reuters that the release date of the United Nations Human Rights Commission report was also considered when deciding on the date for the parliamentary election.

 

"Even if is not said openly, the U.N. report was considered when deciding the date," Ranawaka told Reuters.

 

The report is due for release in September but an aide to President Maithripala Sirisena said diplomatic sources had warned it may be leaked in late August, Reuters said. It is thought that Rajapaksa would have used the UNHRC report for his advantage if it was critical of Sri Lanka. His claims of foreign intervention resonates with the rural populace who backs him.

 

Meanwhile, Foreign diplomatic sources said that some Western countries also worried the U.N. report could help Rajapaksa and urged Sirisena not to delay elections, Reuters report said further.

 

Dissolving parliament for August elections also saved Wickremesinghe from a scheduled no-confidence motion over alleged mismanagement of the economy.