The Elections Commission has taken a strong stand against misuse of public property in election propaganda and illegal appointments made to the state sector after polls was declared.
Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya
The Commission today transferred two officials attached to the Skills Development and Vocational Training Ministry to the Public Administration Ministry over charges of unauthorized appointments after the declaration of the general election.
According to election department sources these two have been involved in issuing fresh job appointments after polls was declared. The appointment letters have been back dated to escape detection.
Also officials are currently conducting probes related to illegal appointments made at the Fisheries and Health Ministries.
Meanwhile acting on a complaint by the Election commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya, President Maithripala Sirisena on Friday transferred the secretary of the Ministry of Posts Abdul Majeed to the Ministry of Public Administration.
According to election department sources he had been transferred due to the use of ministry vehicles in election campaigning. M.H.A.Haleem, is the Minister in charge of the subject and he is contesting the general election as a UNP candidate from the Kandy district.
Meanwhile Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya also has sent a letter to Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake requesting the UNP Colombo district candidate to explain the nature of the donation of a house during polls period to the family of a woman who died during the recent shooting incident at Bloemendhal road, Colombo.
Unidentified gunmen fired at supporter of Karunanayake who were campaigning in the area killing a Muslim woman a mother of three and another Sinhala youh. Eleven others were injured.
The deceased woman’s children had told media after the incident that she had gone campaigning for Karunanayake in order to obtain a proper house.
The Commissioner had sent a letter to Karunanayake after National Freedom Front (NFF) member Kapila Gamage filed a complaint claiming Karunanayake’s donation amounts to an election bribe.
Meanwhile a representative of Transparency international said that UPFA Kurunegala district candidate Sujani Maheshika, the daughter of Gunadasa Dehigama the Minister for Northwestern Provincial Road Development and Transport was using the provincial council vehicles for election campaigning.
He said that the misuse of PC vehicles has been reported to election authorities.
Meanwhile elections department has received over 1100 complaints regarding election law violations and out of them 180 have been unlawful appointments, promotions and transfers within the public service.
The General elections will be held on August 17.
Amarasiri / August 8, 2015
RE: Elections Commissioner Cracks The Whip
Good moves, thank you. Make it a level playing field.
However, Mahinda Rajapaksa and his cronies violated all rules on a massive scale.
The fact remains. MaRa MaRa Chatu MaRa Amana MaRa was and is a crook..
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Veritas / August 8, 2015
I do not understand: If Mahinda Rajapaksa is a candidate for parliament from Kurunegala, why is he campaigning all across the country? Tonight there is a big rally for him in Kottawa (Pannipitiya)–huge cutouts. Aren’t these cutouts illegal, or do I not understand something?
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Analyst / August 9, 2015
Ho ho Whats happening EC ?? Have you run out of charges when it’s the turn of your former master??
The cut outs Commissioner in Pannipitiya, what’s going on ?
One rule for one, another rule for your Ex Master??
Go get the cut outs fast , favouritism ?? towards the old codger??
Violating election regulations are WRONG COMMISSIONER!!!!!!!
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justice / August 8, 2015
All hopes of a free and fair election seem to be sabotaged by state officials owing allegiance to political masters.
This Commissioner of Elections, unlike his predecessors, appears to be taking action using his powers against these officials’ actions.
Donation of a house to a supporter of a politician is certainly a bribe – especially when thousands have no shelters to live under.
All official vehicles’ keys should have been impounded & kept in custody of the commissioner, anticipating misuse which has happened in every previous election – those officials needing vehicles for urgent official travel could apply and obtain them.
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Analyst / August 8, 2015
Well done Election commissioner go after all those who break Election Regulations . It was totally wrong for The minister to donate a house to the family of the election worker who succumbed to to her death.
What was he thinking ?? The same game was played by JARAPASSA’s.
They should have waited after the election to donate a house or it would have been HONOURABLE if he had given from his own pocket.
Acted just as the JARAPASSAS , SHAME ON THIS MINISTER and he said he was permitted to do so by th PM AND THE PRESIDENT.
SHAME SHAME SHAME YAHAPALANAYA.
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Heretic / August 9, 2015
“Meanwhile elections department has received over 1100 complaints regarding election law violations and out of them 180 have been unlawful appointments, promotions and transfers within the public service.”
Mahinda D,
I admit that things are better even in Jaffna where I live.
However how can some candidates apparently every evening have meetings with disturbing loud speakers and give things for the participants?
What has happened to candidate Sittambalam who is accused of having threatened students?
How can candidates arrange meetings in front of places of worship? Is it ok to be outside but forbidden to be inside?
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