(a) carry on the radio or television broadcasting services, as the case may be, while maintaining in the public interest and in the conduct of a free and fair election or referendum, high standards in programming ;

(b) register persons engaged in the production of television or radio programmes relating to an election or a referendum , as the case may be, which programmes are intended to be broadcast;

(c) exercise supervision and control over programmes broadcast by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation or the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, as the case may be, relating to an election or a referendum;

(d) advise the Minister in respect of matters relating to broadcasting which are connected with the holding of an election or a referendum ;

(e) exercise and perform in relation to any broadcast pertaining to an electron or a referendum as the case may be, all such powers and functions as are conferred or imposed on or assigned to, either the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation or the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation as the case may be, by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Act, No 37 of 1966 or the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act, No 6 of 1982 respectively;

(f)establish, install and operate broadcasting apparatus;

(g) acquire by way of lease, sublease or otherwise any land or interest in land, with or without any building ;

(h) erect, after or reconstruct any broadcasting apparatus or any building or structure on any land belonging to or administered by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation or the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, as the case may be for the use in Connection with any broadcasting station or in connection with the exercise and discharge of its powers and functions ;

(i) acquire by lease or otherwise, during the period tot which the Competent Authority is appointed, any property rights or privileges that it considers necessary tot exercising and discharging of its powers and functions ;

(j) with the prior approval of the Election Commission and subject to any other terms and conditions which may be imposed in that behalf advance money to any person or body of persons whether incorporated or unincorporated producing or intending to produce programmer for broadcast, pertaining to the election or a referendum as the case may be, whether in conjunction with any other business or not, or give in respect of any advance made to any such pet son or body of persons as aforesaid by a second person any guarantee indemnity or security;

(k) use the facilities and equipment belonging to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation or the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, as the case may be, in such a manner as the Competent Authority considers fit for the purpose of promoting and assisting any Broadcast pertaining to an election or referendum ;

(l) during the period for which the Competent Authority is appointed, take on lease or rent houses, sites and erect houses for the use of such officers and servants appointed by such Authority;

(m) publish or arrange for the publication of such periodicals or other publications as it considers necessary or beneficial;

(n) refuse to televise, record or broadcast any advertisement in any form, the televising, recording or broadcasting of which is not in the public interest ;

(o) act in combination or association with any person or body of persons whether incorporated or unincorporated within Sri Lanka or abroad, in the exercise or discharge of the powers or functions specified in the section; and

(p) do all such acts or things which in the opinion of the Competent Authority is necessary for the conduct of a free and fair election or, a referendum, as the case may be.

(a) that any programme broadcast by either the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation as the case may be shall not include anything which is against good taste or decency, or which is likely to incite a person to commit a crime, or which may lead to disorder, or be such as to offend any racial or religious susceptibilities, or to be offensive to public feeling ;

(b) that the programmes broadcast shall maintain a proper local, regional and international balance with regard to the subject matter dealt with, and also generally to maintain a high standard of quality ;

(c) that any news presented through any such programme shall be presented with due accuracy and impartiality and with due regard to the public interest .

"broadcasting" means television or radio broadcast and includes any signal, announcement, item, communication, picture or other matter to be broadcast for reception by the public ;

"Election Commission" means the Election Commission established under Article 103 of the Constitution ;

"guidelines" means the guidelines issued by the Election Commission under sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (5) of Article 104B of the Constitution.