Sri Lanka election officials have urged Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake to hold the next presidential election after Nov. 5, the local website Lankapage said Wednesday.

Assistant election commissioner, who are directly engaged in the election at the provincial level, made this request to the Commissioner to allow more time to prepare for the poll.

They are facing numerous problems in tsunami-hit areas this time and that is why they need more time, the Deputy Commissioner Rasika Pieris said.

The Election Commissioner agreed to consider their proposal but also assured the provision of all necessary facilities to election officials.

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court announced here on Aug. 26 that the country's next presidential election must be held within 2005, clearing up the long debate over the date for the next presidential election.

Source: Xinhua