Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has observed candidates representing several political parties continuing to violate election rules and using public properties for their propaganda work even though the campaigning for September 21st Provincial Council elections ended yesterday (18th Sept) midnight.
UPFA and UNP candidates in Kandy district were busy putting up banners and cutouts in public places and former Chief Minister and candidate of UPFA Sarath Ekanayake’s cutouts were seen in many public places in the Kandy city. The cutouts were transported by a vehicle belonging to the Sri Lanka Transport Board. Although complaints were made to the Police, action is yet to be taken.
The candidates in all three provinces are using surreptitious propaganda activities such as cricket tournaments, religious festivals, and house to house canvassing.
In Puttlam District, on 08th September a Samurdi official and a UPFA candidate distributed leaflets and campaigned in Thavarana Muslim College in Chilaw. When the principal of the school objected the Samurdi official had assaulted him. Chilaw police is conducting an inquiry into the incident.
Parents and school children were invited for a stage drama at Walahaptiya Maha Vidyalaya in Nattandiya on 17th September 2013. Later it transpired that the stage show was on Sumal Tissera, one of the UPFA candidates.
In Kurunegala district, the deputy principal of the Ibbagamuwa Maha Vidyalaya and a retired Education Director visited schools to collect money for UPFA candidates. After teachers from one of the schools protested they had to abruptly end the activity and flee the area.
On 14th September, Yoshitha Rajapakse – a Commissioned Officer of the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a meeting organized by the UPFA at Pullaiyaddi area in Kilinochi District’ The meeting has been organized in favor of three candidates contesting the Provincial Council election.
On 18th September, Kumaran Pathmanathan who was a leader of the LTTE participated in a media conference held in Killinochi and made statements in support of the UPFA and against some political parties contesting in the election’ Media personnel were transported from Colombo by the Media Centre for National Security’ It was evident that there was no relationship between national security and the media conference’ It was misuse of public property during the elections where Government funds have been used for such event.
On 14th September, Thuraiyappah stadium in Jaffna was used for the UPFA election meeting and later it was transpired that no payment has been made for the venue.
From 10th September evening to the following evening, the Al Azhar Maha Vidyalam in Mannar District was closed to accommodate police officers during the UPFA meeting in Mannar District on 11th September violating election laws.
On 14th September, TISL observers found that the Sri Lanka Army had been engaged in putting up the stage for the UPFA meeting to be held the next day at Puthukudiyiruppu, Mulaithivu.
On the same day, around 10 SLTB buses belonging to Kondavil Depot were used to transport people for the UPFA meeting held at Thuraiyappah Stadium’ There was no evidence of any payment being made to the depot and during the day the public faced severe hardships due to less number of buses.
A stage was built for the UPFA rally in the entrance of Vavuniya – Poonthottam Road completely obstructing traffic which found it difficult to pass through. People faced severe difficulties in travelling due to this obstruction.
On 11th September, following busses baring registration Nos: WP NA 3234″ WP NA 1160″ WP NA 8903″ WP NA 2340″ 63 – 3603″ WP NA 4806″ 62-2020″ 63-4325″ 63-4891 belonging to the Vavuniya and other Depots were used among other buses to transport public to the UPFA meeting held at Vavuniya District.
On 18th September, buses bearing registration numbers WP NA 2554″ 62 – 6073″63-0334″ 62-6673 belonging to the Vavuniya and other depots were used among other buses to transport public to the UPFA meeting held at the entrance of Vavuniya town – Poonthottam Road.
On 18th September, a meeting was held with the participation of three EPDP candidates at the Palali bus stand in Jaffna District’ The public faced inconvenience due to the use of the bus stand whci again was a misuse of public property.
TISL is taking necessary steps to complain about these misuses to the Elections Commissioner.