(Lanka-e-News -23.Oct.2024, 10.40 pm) The Institute of Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies has issued a statement urging voters to reject candidates who resort to manipulative tactics for electoral advantage. The full statement, signed by the Executive Director Manjula Gajanayake, is as follows:
Sri Lanka is currently undergoing a nationwide election process that increasingly embodies democratic values, gradually leading toward a larger electoral campaign. Those contesting for limited representation are substantial in number. In fact, there are 8,821 candidates contesting this election. A significant portion of these candidates appear to be conducting ethical and responsible campaigns, using their legal right to political advertising.
However, a handful of candidates are observed to be engaged in deceitful and manipulative campaigning methods aimed at misleading voters. These activities, though potentially not in violation of election laws, reflect poor ethical judgment. We believe that such deceptive tactics will eventually backfire, and justice will be served.
One notable candidate steering the public towards such risky behavior is Udaya Prabhath Gammanpila. He has, for five days now, been leading a continuous media campaign concerning various reports related to the tragic Easter Sunday attacks of April 21, 2019. This ongoing media battle appears to be more about gaining attention for the upcoming parliamentary election than any genuine need for clarity or revelation.
This tactic mirrors a similar incident during the last parliamentary election, when Gammanpila and several of his political associates stirred controversy around a doctor at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital. Though the doctor was eventually cleared by the courts, the candidates had already used the situation to garner temporary public attention and secure their parliamentary positions.
Now, in an even more dubious move, Gammanpila has fielded an independent group for the upcoming election, with all 22 candidates being members of his own family or close relatives. We urge voters to critically examine the independence of these candidates, listed below:
Independent Group No. 16:
1. Nishantha Sanjeewa Gammanpila
2. Gammanpila Limiya Don Dharmasena
3. Gammanpila Limiya Don Amila Sampath Gammanpila
4. Gammanpila Limiya Dona Sandhya Manori
5. Kithsiri Gammanpila
6. Gammanpila Don Kingsly Laksiri
7. Gammanpila Limiya Dona Dakshina Janithi
8. Gammanpila Dona Ram Gammanpila
9. Gammanpila Limiya Dona Subashini
10. Gammanpila Don Lakna Gammanpila
11. Gammanpila Limiya Don Sujith Kumara
12. Gammanpila Limiya Don Ajith Kumara
13. Gammanpila Limiya Dona Chathuri Udayangani
14. Gammanpila Limiya Dona Kalani Thusantha Gothami Gammanpila
15. Gammanpila Udhara Kanishka Gammanpila
16. Gammanpila Ranjith Dayarathna
17. Nilakshi Niroshana Gammanpila Kodippili
18. Asanka Aravinda Gammanpila
19. Gammanpila Don Ruchira
20. Indika Vimukthi Wimalasena Gammanpila
21. Charitha Gammanpila
22. Inoka Gammanpila
Considering these facts, the Institute of Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies calls on media outlets to ensure that such candidates do not receive undue and unfair media coverage. The focus should be on allowing all candidates a fair share of the media platform.
Executive Director
Institute of Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies
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by (2024-10-23 17:16:14)
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