Elections commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has stressed this was a mandatory declaration, warning that only candidates who submit them would get the candidate identity cards.

TISL’s Shan Wijetunga says Janasetha Party and the JVP are leading the handover of the declarations, with all candidates of the former making their declarations, while the latter has 95 pc of candidates declaring assets and liabilities.

Only 70 pc of candidates from the two leading parties have handed over their declarations, he said.

It is up to the elections commissioner to take action against candidates who fail to do so, even three months after the election.

The elections department announced today (29) that accepting assets and liabilities declarations has been extended until August 05, BBC Sandeshaya reports.