EC informed of many cases of state resources being abused ahead of presidential poll
View(s):Transparency International Sri Lanka, which is monitoring the misuse of state resources for election work, has complained to Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya of many such instances where this has happened.
In a letter it referred to four such instances where state resources have been abused by the ruling party.
Extracts of the letter:
a) District Accountants summoned for a political meeting
All the district level accountants, including the Chief Accountants of every district, have been summoned to Temple Trees for a discussion about the budget.
It is concerning that these officers were not invited to either the Ministry of Finance or the Treasury to discuss budget related matters but rather were invited to the official residence of the President. District Accountants play a crucial role in the electoral process as the main Counting Officers and also serve as Additional Returning Officers. Their participation in what could be a political meeting of a Presidential candidate greatly questions the integrity of the electoral process and challenges the trust and validity of the election results that they will preside over.
Their participation in such a meeting will only create a doubt in the minds of the people about their commitment and service.
a) Sri Lanka Youth involved in
President Mahinda
Rajapaksa’s campaign
It has been reported to us that Sri Lanka Youth, a state institution formerly known as the National Youth Council, has joined hands with the Nil Balakaya (Blue Brigade) to engage in the election campaigning activities of the electoral candidate of the United People Freedom Alliance, Mahinda Rajapakse.
In the guise of a capacity building training programme, 100 young individuals from the Northern Province were assembled to give them instructions on how to carry out campaigning activities for Mahinda Rajapaksa by Sri Lanka Youth. Lectures were delivered by officers attached to Sri Lanka Youth (names can be provided on request) at the Kilinochchi National Youth Services Council Center on how they should operate in order to ensure the victory of Mahinda Rajapakse. They have also planned to use these young individuals in turn to train 100 youth each in every Divisional Secretariat division.
b) Schools used for political activities
It has been reported to us that Deputy Minister of Coconut Development and Janatha Estate, Anthony Victor Perera has held political meetings claiming to discuss how to improve the education in the North Western Province by strengthening the School Development Committees for committee members and parents.
He has instructed the Principals of all the schools in the Chilaw and Puttalam area to convene the School Development Committees for this meeting. It is encouraging to note that certain Principals have shown refusal to carry out his instructions.
c) Misuse of a land that belongs
to a Urban Council
An organization called ‘Kurunegala Free Lawyers Organization’ convened a media conference at the Kurunegala Municipal Council auditorium on November 27 to pledge their support to Mahinda Rajapakse in the forthcoming election.
This particular auditorium is located in the main building of the Kurunegal Municipal Council and is meant only to be used for internal purposes. The auditorium is generally not given out to external parties on a hire basis.
“This incident is clearly an incident of misuse of public property and further inquiry into the matter revealed that this auditorium cannot be rented out by the public even for a fee,” TISL said.