JVP cries foul

16 March 2011 04:40 pm Views - 4457

JVP today called on Election Commissioner Dayananda Disssanayake to stop last minute campaigns carried out by state media allegedly by the ruling UPFA.

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva who had made an official complaint to the commissioner of elections Dayananda Dissanayake alleging that the government had violated section 82 of the Local Government Authorities Act 2002. Mr. Silva in a letter addressed to the election commissioner said various propaganda programs have been telecasted on state TV even yesterday afternoon. He said a film actress was engaged in propaganda work.

Mr. Silva in his letter explained that that a 48 hour interval is given to the voters to review the election campaigns of each party and make a final decision on how they are going to cast their votes and therefore it is not fair for any political party to engage in campaigns during this time.

Meanwhile Propaganda Secretary Member of Parliament Vijitha Herath who referred to an allegation made against them by the government that the party is using school children for election purposes, said it was the government that had used children for the UPFA campaign terrorizing them.

He made this counter allegation at a media conference yesterday stating that parents and children were forced to attend a function which was held in a school in Tissamaharama. He alleged that the children whose parents who did not attend the function had been caned by the school principal.

Mr. Herath charged that the state media is violating the election laws and slinging mud at the opposition. (Yohan Perera)