Ratwatte's statement, publicised by state radio, is a clear indication that the Government may indeed postpone the provincial council polls and hopes that his threat of giving up responsibility for war may earn it public approval for the postponement. Normally, postponement of elections would require Constitutional amendments, but President Chandrika Kumaratunga can also do so by extending the emergency that now exists in some parts of the country, to areas where the elections are to beheld. However, so far, the Election Commissioner has been going ahead with preparations for the polls on the assumption that they will be held as scheduled on August 28. A total of 2,446 candidates from 12 political parties have filed nominations. Meanwhile, two police officers were seriously wounded in two successive bomb blasts at a telecommunication tower of a mobile service company in President Kumaratunga's home district.
Police believe it to be the work of an underground gang.