President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has reportedly turned down Elections Commission Chairman Mahinsa Deshapriya's letter of resignation.

Rajapaksa has turned down the letter on the basis that the country is only months away from a Parliamentary election and Deshapriya has a crucial role to plat in this regard.

The President's decision has already been conveyed to the Elections Commission Chairman, government sources said.

The Elections Commission Chairman sent his letter to resignation following the recently-concluded Presidential election.