On 13th November 2015 members for the Independent Election Commission were appointed thus establishing the Election Commission with effect from November 2015 under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya, Commissioner of Elections was appointed as the Chairman of Election Commission while the other two members of the Commission were Mr. N.J. Abeyesekere PC. and Prof. S. Rantnajeevan H. Hoole. The Department of Elections was replaced by the Election Commission.