EC threatens to prohibit state media election result telecast/broadcast if it persists in violating laws

Sri Lankan Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has warned the state media that he will not allow it to broadcast or telecast presidential election results if they fail to stop telecasting religious events or any other programmes aimed at promoting one candidate. A warning letter was sent by Mr. Deshapriya to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Independent Television Network (ITN) and Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) on Tuesday following the action taken by the SLRC to telecast a religious programme including a pirith chanting and an Adhisthana Pooja at the Independence Square on Tuesday evening organized to invoke blessings on the incumbent president and the country, official sources revealed. This action was taken by the Election Commissioner, in response to a request made by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to issue an urgent order to all TV and Radio networks to cease broadcasting any form of religious programme campaigning on behalf of incumbent president violating the election laws. Around 40 Buddhist priests and several local artistes participated in the Adhisthana Pooja organized by spending millions of rupees for three hours. It was followed by a fireworks display unbecoming for a religious programme, several participants said. (Bandula)