A delay in the delivery of the list of prospective awardees for the 2020 National Awards Ceremony leads to the postponement of the event.

The Office of The President has confirmed this.

In a statement the OTP says the list has not yet been received.

It says this has compromised its ability to host the awards to the usual standard.

The ceremony usually takes place on September 24^th, Republic Day.

According to the statement, it takes time to order the medals and to prepare the instruments, which are given to awardees.

It says preparing for the event would prove to be a challenge for the office.

The OTP did not state what might have caused the delay in the delivery of the list.

However, it said it is aware that the National Awards Committee extended its deadline for nominations from April 30^th to May 29^th.

Currently COVID-19 guidelines allow 5 people to assemble in a public place.