Sri Lanka, May 13 -- The cost of holding the General Election could be double the cost of the previously held Presidential Election given the special circumstances faced, National Election Commission (NEC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya told the political party representatives yesterday.

About Rs. 7 billion had been estimated for the previous Presidential Election, and according to the NEC Chairman this could soar to Rs 14 billion due to the additional measures required in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representatives of 34 political parties met the NEC members at the Election Secretariat premises in Rajagiriya yesterday to discuss matters pertaining to the General Election. The NEC is to meet representatives of another 23 political p...