Commissioner sends 100 circulars in vain

• ALL IGNORED
• FLAP OVER AIR-TIME

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Elections Commissioner has sent over 100 directives and circulars to various government institutions advising them not to carry out election propaganda using state property. Most of the directives have been sent to the state media institutes but almost all of these directives have been ignored by the government.
“From the day of the nominations the Commissioner has sent dozens of directives each week asking the state institutions not to misuse state property for the government’s election campaign. Last week the trade unionists of the Ports Authority met the commissioner and handed over documents to prove the misuse of property but the commissioner has already warned the Ports Authority about this.
But his directives have been continuously ignored,” said a department source.
Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) chairman is dragging his feet when responding to the queries Competent Authority, Jayampathi Hettiarachchi. SLRC Chairman hasn’t replied a letter sent last week about the two hour live telecast of the unveiling of Mahinda Chinthana 2.
“The Competent Authority sent a letter informing the SLRC Chairman, Ariyarathna Ethugala that this telecast was a breach of election laws. But the SLRC replied saying that they have been paid for the air time. But when thee SLRC chairman was asked who reserved the time and paid the bills he did not respond.”