126.
| (1) Every recognized political party or independent group which has submitted a nomination paper in respect of any electoral district shall, subject to such conditions as may be determined by the Director-General of Broadcasting, be entitled, upon application made in that behalf within one week from the last day of the nomination period, to the use of broadcasting facilities during the period commencing from the day after the last day fixed for making such application and ending seventy-two hours prior to the commencement of the poll. |
|
| (2) In the allocation of broadcasting time during the period referred to in subsection (1) to any recognized political party or independent group which makes an application in that behalf, the Director-General of Broadcasting shall ensure that each party or group shall be permitted to use
| | (a) in the case of radio broadcasting, a total period not exceeding forty-five minutes which may be used on one occasion or on not more than three occasions and each such occasion shall not exceed fifteen minutes ; | | |
| | (b) in the case of television broadcasting, a total period not exceeding forty-five minutes which may be used on one occasion or on not more than three occasions and each such occasion shall not exceed fifteen minutes. | | |
|
|
| (3) Where two or more recognized political parties or in dependent groups agree to debate any matter of national importance, it shall be the duty of the Director-General of Broadcasting to afford broadcasting facilities to such parties or groups, so however that the time permitted for such de bate shall not exceed the time allotted to each such party or group under subsection (2). |
|
| (4) The order in which each recognized political party or independent group shall use the broadcasting facilities shall be determined
| | (a) in the first instance by agreement among such parties and groups ; or | | |
| | (b) in the absence of such agreement by lots cast or drawn in such manner as the Director-General of Broadcasting may, in his absolute discretion, determine. | | |
|
|
| (5) The broadcasting facilities under this section shall be used only by a candidate or candidates nominated by any recognised political party or independent group to contest an election under this Act. |
|
| (6) No candidate shall, save and except as provided in this section, directly or indirectly use broadcasting facilities for the purpose of promoting his own election. |
|
|
Sri Lanka Consolidated Acts