The Election Commission was urged to take action by People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) on Thursday, August 8, in response to the summoning of District and Divisional Secretaries to a ceremony intended to invoke blessings on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. The ceremony is set to take place at the Kataragama Kiri Vehera on August 10.
“PAFFREL requests that the election commission forbid senior officials from participating”
PAFFREL’s Executive Director, Rohana Hettiarachchi, told The Island that those officers were ordered to attend this political function by the Ministry of Public Administration.
presidential election. Their presence at a gathering endorsing a presidential candidate is illegal and unethical,” Hettiarachchi declared, stressing that if public servants took part in a political campaign on behalf of a candidate, it would undermine public trust in free and fair elections.
