Election Chief retires but will oversee next polls

Election Chief Mahinda Deshapriya has retired from service but will continue functioning as Elections Commissioner until the next Parliamentary Elections.

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya told media that he had retired from his post officially from 6 June and handed over the documents needed for retirement at the Pension Department.

Deshapriya said he would stay on in his capacity as Elections Commissioner for the upcoming parliamentary elections since a new commissioner had not yet been appointed according to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

The Government has not yet decided when to dissolve Parliament and hold elections.