Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya requested Police not to summon Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga until nomination period is over.

Ranatunga was due to appear at the FCID today.

However, UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha has written to the Elections Commissioner that there was an attempt to jeopardize the nominations process by summoning him to the FCID before the nomination period was over. Since Ranatunga was likely to be the Gampaha District team leader, his assistance was essential for the nomination work, Premajayantha has stated through his letter.

As a result, Deshapriya wrote a letter to the Police, requesting the summons to be postponed until July 14. Nominations period ends on July 13.

If it is essential to obtain a statement before July 13, the Elections Commissioner requested the police to obtain the statement at a time of convenience for Prasanna Ranatunga.