An investigation is to be carried out by the Election Commission (EC) into state employees who have allegedly violated election laws.
Local election monitors had complained to the Elections Commission that at least two state employees who were well known public figures had been seen at political events.
Key among them was the President of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya.
Commissioner General of Elections Saman Ratnayake has said an inquiry would be conducted on Dr. Padeniya, who was seen at Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election manifesto launch last week.
Ratnayake has noted that government officer could not directly or indirectly participate in promoting any political party or presidential candidate while holding the post of a government servant.
At the launch of Rajapaksa’s manifesto, Padeniya was seen seated on the front row next to the candidate.
The Elections Commission had issued a circular on 10 September stating that government officials, administrative officials, including medical officers without political rights should not participate in any political activity related to the election.
According to Ratnayake, being a union leader doesn’t make Padeniya eligible to support a political campaign as a union leaders could only represent issues faced by the respective employees.
Leave your comments
Login to post a comment
Post comment as a guest