By Rathindra Kuruwita
The Election Commission announced on Friday that it had received 158 complaints of election law violations, with 20 of these complaints filed within the 24 hours leading up to 9 am on Friday.
According to People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), 99 percent of these complaints involve the misuse of state power and resources. Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of PAFFREL, revealed that the government was in the process of recruiting 150 labourers to Lanka Mineral Sands in Pulmoddai.
“We intervened, and the Election Commission halted the recruitment. However, 46 people had already been hired. These individuals were recruited after the election was declared, despite no vacancies being available,” Hettiarachchi said.
He also warned state officials that they could face severe legal consequences for their actions.
Election monitoring bodies are also closely scrutinising the use of the Waters Edge premises by President Ranil Wickremesinghe for election-related activities. Manjula Gajanayake, Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) stated that a complaint has been lodged with the Election Commission, which has since taken a statement from the hotel’s manager.
“The manager informed the commission that the line minister paid for the president’s meetings held there. We have filed a Right to Information (RTI) application to determine whether public funds were used to cover these expenses. If it is found that public funds were indeed used, we will pursue legal action,” Gajanayake said.
The Election Commission is also investigating a complaint regarding the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) allegedly issuing licenses to open gas stations to government supporters.
Gajanayake noted, “Recently, several CPC gas stations have been transferred to individuals and companies, with some discrepancies noted. Some gas stations, previously operated by the CPC, were handed over to individuals free of charge. The president’s office is involved in this matter.”
