Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) says it has observed rampant election law violations including use of State property in Matale and Kandy areas, where sons of present Members of Parliament are contesting. According to TISL, residents of ‘Prince Street’, Matale, were severely inconvenienced, when it was blocked on Friday, for an election rally of Chinthaka Ekanayake, son of Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Nandimitra Ekanayake.
TISL also noticed an election propaganda office in William Gopallawa Mawatha, Kandy, used by Anuradha Jayaratne, son of Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, on State land belonging to the Urban Development Authority.
The present Chairman of Naula Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) in Matale, Tilak Bandara is using the official vehicle belonging to the Divisional Secretariat for election purposes, TISL said. It has also observed newly recruited graduates driving vehicles for election propaganda activities.
The Naula PS Chairman, also a ruling party member, is said to be using the former Agrarian Services building in Udadeniya, Nalanda, Matale, for election campaign purposes.
UPFA Provincial Councillor has lodged a complaint with the Matale elections office and the Elections Commissioner, over a request made to school principals by the zonal education office, urging them to organise events and invite Mr Chinthaka Ekanayake as the chief guest. He has charged that there is an adhoc plan to open 5,000 preschools in the area.