Elections chief Dayananda Dissanayake has instructed senior officials of the government to refrain from making statements supportive of or against any of the candidates to next month's presidential polls.

A circular issued by him yesterday (Dec. 23) says the order would be applicable for the commanders of the three armed forces, the governor of the Central Bank as well as senior officials of the state media and other officials of government institutions.

The elections commissioner said copies of the circular have been sent to the secretary to the president and the secretary of the cabinet for their information.

Until the conclusion of the presidential polls, no state official should take part in television programmes or public meetings and make statements advantageous or unfavoubable of any candidate, said the circular.