He was speaking to the media after a meeting with elections commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya.

There is a big transformation in the country, said the Thera, noting that there is freedom now even to halt publicity for a letter issued by the head of state, which was not so in the past.

This is a change for the better, he said, adding that all should assist the polls chief in his efforts to hold a free and fair election.

He asked that all voters exercised their franchise.