The Election Commission (EC) has informed political party leaders that the already declared election date could change with the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country, The Morning learnt. Party leaders of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and United National Party (UNP) attended yesterday’s (21) meeting held with EC officials led by EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya. At the meeting, the party leaders were briefed that the date for elections would be 20 June, which was gazetted by the Commission on Monday (20) night. When contacted, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told The Morning that Deshapriya had informed them that the Elections Secretariat would complete the issuing of preferential numbers by 4 May and also announce any changes to the election date by then. Deshapriya has said at the meeting that there was no guarantee given by the health authorities to conduct the election. EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya told The Morning that the election date could be further extended under the powers vested with him via the (Parliamentary) Elections Act, depending on the ongoing Covid-19 situation. The EC would again meet the relevant health and other officials between 27-30 April and the date for the election would be reviewed at the next political party leaders meeting scheduled on 2 May, he said.