evidence: President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed Cabinet and the Election Commission that there is no chance of holding any election until the economic reforms programme that is being carried out with the International Monetary Fund is concluded. The President has said that the economic reform process done together with the IMF was crucial for the country to progress economically, and therefore, priority should be given to the IMF programme. [...] The President has also said since the IMF programme is in effect until the end of July, no election will be held till such time. The presidential election will not be a hindrance to the IMF programme as the time for holding the presidential election comes constitutionally after the process of the IMF programme, the President has stated while insisting the Government has planned the election map accordingly. The official also said the President therefore, informed Cabinet as well as the officials of the Election Commission to prepare for the presidential election first.