The involvement in election propaganda by Governor of the Northern Province G.A. Chandrasiri is a violation of the establishment code, and thus he should choose between public service and politics, says the Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE.)
Issuing a press release CaFFE Executive Director Keerthi Tennakoon said that he is surprised and saddened by Chandrasiri joining United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) politicians for election propaganda activities.
The role and responsibility of a Governor is detailed in article 154 (b) of the Sri Lankan Constitution. A Governor is appointed by the President and must carry out the duties assigned, thus his actions are executive actions.
However by participating in election propaganda activities of a political party contesting for an area under his command, Chandrasiri has shown that he is not an independent person, he said.
“It is of great importance that an individual holding an important and an honourable position acts in an impartial manner during an election period. This is doubly important for the Governor heading a Provincial Council in which there is an election as he is to convene the Provincial Council elected on September 21,” Tennakoon said.
He pointed out that although a Governor can have apolitical opinion, it is not ethical for him to engage in politics, as he is, first and foremost, a public servant and not a “slave of a political party”.
“By attending election propaganda activities Chandrasiri has shown his political bias. In the recent past Governor of the Northwestern Province Tissa R Balalla engaged in similar activities but he seems to have stopped such actions, at least temporarily, after continuous lobbying by election stakeholders,” Tennakoon added.
While respecting Northern Province Governor’s right to political opinion, CaFFE reiterates that he should resign from his position if he wants to continue engaging in politics. “If not he will have no moral right to continue as Governor after the September 21 Provincial Council elections.”
