Eastern Governor Sendhil Thondaman is accused of using his governorship powers to campaign for President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sri Lanka Latest News
The JVP has complained that this kind of interference is taking place in a meeting chaired by the Eastern Province Governor at the meeting hall of Tri/Vivekananda Vidyalaya located in Orshill yesterday (11) at noon to discuss a matter related to the Thiru Koneswaram temple in Trincomalee.
JVP Trincomalee district leader Arun Hemachandra complained to Trincomalee district election officer yesterday about this interference.
This is the complaint;
“Arun Hemachandra – Janata Vimukthi Peramuna
National Executive Member – National People’s Power
District Office, No. 397
Dockyard District Nayak Road, Trincomalee
2024.08.10
District Returning Officer
Through the Election Complaints Division
District Election Office
Trincomalee
Complaint regarding unlawful assembly
Sir
- A meeting is scheduled to be held under the chairmanship of the Governor of the Eastern Province in the Trincomalee Thiru Koneswaram temple matter tomorrow i.e. 11.08.2024 at noon at the Tri/Vivekananda College Assembly Hall in Orshill, with the intervention of the Governor through the regional secretaries of various people. It has been learned that efforts are being made to get participation. It has also been further learned that you and the District Deputy Electoral Officers have also been informed to participate in the expected meeting.
- In a situation where precedents have been set that the governor is constantly working to promote the image of the current president, public officials should not interfere in such meetings as the current president who has deposited bail money as a presidential candidate in the upcoming presidential election may lose some political advantage. I would like to point out first that the invitation is a wrong precedent and an illegal act.
- According to the information received so far, it is clear that the invitation for this meeting has been made on an unofficial level without giving written knowledge of it. Also, I would like to inform you that when there is a constitutional and legal system for interfering with religious corporations, the involvement of a provincial governor, who is a political appointee outside of that, is contrary to the accepted methods and especially when an election has been declared, political interference through religious corporations is also against the election law.
- Looking at how the governor is trying to personally intervene in this problem, it seems that he is trying to create an atmosphere where he can influence the temple administration by misusing the state power, and by interfering in such sensitive matters, it has developed into a certain conflict atmosphere among the people. I also emphasize that it may lead to the creation of a possible situation. Also, I would like to point out that by using a school building for this meeting, there will be misuse of state property during an election period. Therefore, I request that our office be informed in writing whether permission has been given by the regional education director and the relevant principal to provide a school building to hold this meeting.
- It is your official responsibility to prevent the use of public resources for such meetings as well as the use of public resources for such meetings by organizing such meetings by misusing public officials and public property during a period when an election has been announced. Finally, I request you to take the necessary measures to prevent that meeting.
thank you
Arun Hemachandra
District Leader – Janata Vimukthi Peramuna
National Executive Executive Member – National People’s Power”
