Monday, 08 February 2010 00:00

By Kelum Bandara

Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake has rejected an application forwarded by the newly formed United National Front (UNF) requesting to register it as a recognized political party. The Commissioner has rejected on grounds that a political party could not be registered within 30 days after the conclusion of an election.

The UNF is a political formation consisting of the UNP, the SLMC, the Democratic People’s Front and the SLFP (Mahajana Wing) as the major parties.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said the application was forwarded soon after the conclusion of the Presidential Election.

“According to the law, a political party cannot be registered within 30 days after the conclusion of an election. Also, it cannot be done after an election has been declared. That is why the Commissioner has rejected this application,” Mr. Attanayake said.