Uniformed nurses in AKD’s meeting spark controversy

30 July 2024 07:04 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 26 Bookmark

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*Election Commission says it is not an issue

*Poll observers believe otherwise

Colombo, July 30 (Daily Mirror) - The National Election Commission (EC) has clarified that the participation of government nurses in uniform at the National All Ceylon Nurses’ Conference, held under the patronage of National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, does not constitute a violation of election regulations.

Addressing concerns raised by various quarters, a senior EC official told Daily Mirror that such participation is permissible under the Establishment Code governing public servants.

"It is not an election violation as long as it has been done according to the Establishment Code," the official said, highlighting that public servants retain the right to support any political party.

The official said that the conference in question was more focused on professional matters rather than a political gathering.

Sources familiar with the matter also indicated that the Secretary to the Ministry of Health had granted duty leave for nurses to attend the National All Ceylon Nurses’ Conference.

However, the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) has voiced dissent, alleging that the presence of government nurses in uniform at the conference constitutes a breach of both the Establishments Code and election regulations.

CaFFE has formally communicated its concerns to the Commission, contending that the use of taxpayer-funded uniforms for political purposes violates established norms and regulations.

Comments - 26

Gihan Tuesday, 30 July 2024 07:20 AM

Can anyone expect anything less from the NPP. These are the guys who went out of their way to destroy expensive government property in their quest for power. To cap it all they have not shown any remorse for their terrible actions of the past. While trying desperately hard to camouflage and hide their true colours, the likes of Hadunnetti and Lalkantha have not been good actors in the drama, hand have shown up the real NPP/JVP.

76 61

Das Tuesday, 30 July 2024 11:35 AM

Gihan who robbed the countries wealth in billons ?

10 81

Herman Perera Tuesday, 30 July 2024 07:40 AM

These are Petty things. Talk about the Cost of Living, Taxes

33 49

Jude Tuesday, 30 July 2024 08:07 AM

Interesting to know who's funding CaFEE !???

24 36

Krish Tuesday, 30 July 2024 08:11 AM

While I agree somewhat on this. I have seen Rw giving away deeds to civilians as they are his own property. It was just before the announcement of elections. But still the same thing.

35 76

Jude Tuesday, 30 July 2024 08:16 AM

CaFFE don't get any funding from NPP therefore, they scrutinize every move and actions of NPP.

15 41

Kays Tuesday, 30 July 2024 08:16 AM

To be fair, the National conference organizers should have invited all political parties to speak at the event. AKD speaking makes it political. Pity the EC seems unbalanced-- they do not seem to have learnt any lessons from the previous lot who did not challenge nominations from dual citizens. Hope anbassadors visiting the EC willy nilly are not putting their pretty thumbs on the scales.

10 40

Jude Tuesday, 30 July 2024 08:25 AM

If National Elections Commission have no issues then what's your problem CaFFE !??? CaFFE serving their masters!!!

26 33

BBM Tuesday, 30 July 2024 08:31 AM

Organizers are guilty for the political patronage and using a formal convention for their publicity. The type of politics behind these trade unions always make workforces radical, causing poor patients to suffer regularly, whenever they take trade union actions, sometimes for minor matters. This is typical JVP politics.

28 21

Cecil Hedwige Tuesday, 30 July 2024 08:33 AM

This is the real meaning of Universal Franchise'

3 10

Christo255 Tuesday, 30 July 2024 08:58 AM

Looks like EC is scared of NPP.

18 22

Duminda Tuesday, 30 July 2024 09:23 AM

Losers always find an excuse. No stopable AKD winning now. Count down!!!!!

34 37

Practical Citizen Tuesday, 30 July 2024 09:35 AM

As common citizen we feel this is a violation of election and public administration circular. AKD has no right to ask his supporters to come on nurses uniform pretending that he is going to solve the nurses problems. Since he is not even a member of the government he can't do that. If the participants are government employees, the particular hospital should check their attendance on the particular day and time. Since AKD is a dreaming president he is happy to arrange this type of meeting during the election period. Anyway they can secure 3% sometimes manage 4%

44 21

D P P Prasad Tuesday, 30 July 2024 10:17 AM

As l believe AKD is not dreaming The relentless politicians who are plunging this county in to the anarchy are dreaming as to how they are regaining the power for their own wellbeing.

2 39

Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 30 July 2024 04:33 PM

AKD part too caused billions of dollars damage to the country's economy .one example is youth like you who are chanting JVP slogans all the time while getting government tax payers money as allowances during higher education.

11 4

Gamini Tuesday, 30 July 2024 09:36 AM

so it is very clear now as to who is behind the disruption of the health services and the constant strikes

19 24

PATRIOT Tuesday, 30 July 2024 03:04 PM

Lal Kantha saying they will immediately move out of Common Wealth. This will be a move to isolate Sri Lanka from not only UK but also many other courtiers. With Gotha there was an experiment. Now comes another experiment which this country will not be able to afford to. People, not the politicians are fools. that is why this country suffers for so long more than 70 years.

4 2

Rip Winkle Tuesday, 30 July 2024 10:06 AM

CaFFE? Not heard of them before. Do they make Latte besides making nonsensical observations?

2 11

upulpb Tuesday, 30 July 2024 10:14 AM

This was a trade union meeting and attendees were on duty leave exercising their rights .

2 16

joshua Tuesday, 30 July 2024 10:39 AM

controversies will come and go. But as you can see with your naked eye, AKD has enough support. It can be good or bad, but AKD is up there.

4 13

saman Tuesday, 30 July 2024 11:07 AM

CAFFE must be funded by the sun. I think that is where we saw these guys talking, not anywhere else.

0 7

Vive James Tuesday, 30 July 2024 11:11 AM

Who ever wins SL will be a Bankrupt Nation FOREVER Even Lee Quan Yu , with 24 million illogical ,racial voters can't pull the nation . Plain Truth

0 9

Chris Tuesday, 30 July 2024 02:50 PM

If AKD comes he won't know where to start. So far he only knows how to criticise. No real policy solutions. No international experience at all except this hopping around where sri Lankans work like slaves.

9 4

JAK Sherwin Tuesday, 30 July 2024 02:18 PM

Note this is the annual conference of "National All Ceylon Nurses Union" and AKD was an invitee. Can an invitee dictate how a participant should be dressed? If at all, fault lies with the organizers who invited a Presidential candidate for the conference.

1 9

P Kunchithapathan Tuesday, 30 July 2024 05:33 PM

This is the outcome of the corrupted and abusive ruling by the national political parties that led the country into so much of debts. Leaders of those political parties led by the elite families. NPP or JVP have well penetrated into rural poor masses are in desperate need for a change.

0 2

Jayantha Wednesday, 31 July 2024 11:23 AM

See how stupid people are without knowing the facts they talk and get bogged down simply because being succors of political parties. The organizers have clarified that it was the annual conference of "National All Ceylon Nurses Union" Can't help laughing!!

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