Polls fever: President cancels independence reception

President Maithripala Sirisena has cancelled the customary reception that follows today’s 70th Independence Day ceremonies.

Colombo based diplomats, United Nations agency heads and other invitees were advised on Friday that it was being put off “due to unavoidable circumstances.”

However, Government sources said it was due to the ongoing local polls campaign. It was reaching its peak with just five more days to go for the poll on February 10.

Officials were aware of the polls when invitations were sent out. However, instructions are learnt to have come from President Sirisena.