Colombo (News 1st) – The National Elections Commission today(19) announced, the 2020 Parliamentary Election cannot take place on the 25th of April as scheduled.

In an out of the box move to the convene a media briefing, after the deadline of accepting nominations for the Parliamentary Election, Mahinda Deshapriya, the country’s election chief said the election cannot take place on the fixed date taking in to account the present situation in the country surrounding COVID-19.

In a rather annoyed tone, after responding to multiple questions on one point, when will the elections take place, Mahinda Deshapriya answered ” Insha COVID-19 “, in the lines of the Islamic phrase ” Insha Allah “( God willing ).

The elections commission with other stake holders would discuss on the 26th of March, on a possible alternative, he said adding the election could even take place in May.

Mahinda Deshapriya went on to note, the election cannot take place until 14 days after the 25th of April 2020 adding COVID-19 will decide when the 2020 Parliamentary Election will take place.

The country’s election chief said, COVID-19 and the Task Force to Combat COVID-19 would eventually decide when the election will take place.