He said the counting of votes from the ballot boxes could begin by 6.00pm but that some counting centres would start the count by 8.00pm.

Deshappriya also said that up to five election monitors representing a candidate would be permitted at the counting centre.

He added that up to 30 monitors are expected at each counting centre although there is provision to accommodate around 95.

But only two monitors will be permitted during counting of the postal votes.

Desappriya said that one monitor from a Monitoring group will also be allowed into the counting centre.