At a meeting summoned by the elections commission, only the JHU’s Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe opposed the particular criterion.

In accordance with the 19th amendment, parliament should approve the criterion, prepared by the commission as per clause 104 b (5) (a) and published in gazette extraordinary of 1955/19 and 2015.02.29.

Warnasinghe was critical of the criterion that says the national flag, national anthem, portrayals of religious leaders should not be used for political promotions.

He noted that his JHU at all its meetings performed Buddhist religious observances, and never abused them.

However, the proposed criterion will prevent the party from promoting its ideology, Warnasinghe told the commission.

Representatives of other parties and media institutions have not raised objections, said the commission, adding that the particular criterion would not come in the way of using the national anthem or conducting religious performances at political meetings.