The state-owned TV channels, compelled to cancel some of their programmes on the provincial council elections after the Elections Department intervened in this matter, officials said today.
Political parties and independent groups contesting the election were required to cease their propaganda activities from Wednesday midnight. However, complaints were lodged with Elections Commissioner Mahinda Desapriya that two state-owned TV channels had planned to telecast some programmes on the elections.
Later, the Department informed the authorities concerned to cancel such programmes if they were likely to violate election law.
Additional Elections Commissioner R.A.M.L. Ratnayake said the Commissioner wrote to the Chairmen of the two stations to look into this matter. He said the letter had also been copied to Media Ministry Secretary Charita Herath.
Meanwhile, the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) charged that some candidates carried out their propaganda activities even yesterday. PAFFREL’s Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said the law had been violated particularly in the Anuradhapura District. (KB)
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