As the election campaign for the Western Provincial Council got off the ground, police yesterday started removing banners, posters and cutouts put up by candidates.
Police said that they would strictly enforce the election law that prohibits the display of such propaganda in unauthorized areas.
According to the law candidates are only allowed to put up posters, cutouts and banners in their homes, party offices and vehicles they travel in.
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| Posters being torn off and banners being taken down in Nugegoda. Pix by Sanka Vidanagama |
The Sunday Times learns, that in all three districts, Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha, before the police could move into action party supporters had taken it upon themselves to tear down propaganda material of rival party candidates.
Some 2, 378 candidates from 19 registered political parties and 23 independent groups are vying for 102 seats in the Western Provincial Council.
Nominations for the elections scheduled for April 25, closed on Thursday and the parties launched their election campaigns.
The UPFA is being led by former Chief Minister, Reginald Cooray in the Kalutara District, Sunil Jayamini in the Colombo District and Prasanna Ranatunga in the Gamapaha District, while for the UNP Lakshman Kahatapitiya leads the Kalutara District, Lakshman Abeygunaratne the Colombo District and Lawrence Madiwela the Gampaha District.
For the JVP, three former Provincial Council members D.Duminda Nagamuwa, Waruna Deeptha Rajapaksa and W.A.Nalinda Jayatissa are leading the campaigns for Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara respctively. |
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