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State-owned TV stations told to stop polls propaganda

7 September 2012 06:22 pm - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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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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  Comments - 18

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  • Andrew Pitugala Saturday, 08 September 2012 04:00 AM

    Too many violations pointed out by the Elections Commissioner. All talk and no action !!!!!!!

    Sue Sunday, 09 September 2012 08:24 AM

    Are you out of your stupid mind? Can't you see where we're heading? Its only because of idiots like you that this country is in this terrible state today. (Reverent excellencies my foot) lol

    Lokka Saturday, 08 September 2012 10:13 AM

    You are forgetting the whole things here. Reverent excellencies Mahinda, Gotabhaya, Basil trio battled the 26 year old war to the end and brought the country together. We have a genuine rising star Namal to take on from a time the baton of nation's defense and development needs to be passed on. Now your problem is the state media talking about them? All elections and the election commission are of no further need. We have our king and the dynasty.

    sadhu Saturday, 08 September 2012 09:41 AM

    have been to sri lanka this summer. except from one tv channel all channels full of government propaganda every day. this is like in china now. and soo many adds on tv. sri lakans should be tired of this propaganda. how can soo many sri lankans be so proud of this banana republic? cant understand. wake up sri lankans. you dont deserve this. vote for reaaly democraty, law and order, not for rajapaksa dictatorship.

    Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 08 September 2012 09:41 AM

    State-owned TV stations are patterned just like Goebell's misinformation setup during Hitler's time to paint a rosy picture of what is happenning in the counttry.

    Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 08 September 2012 09:18 AM

    Well, state-owned means owned by the government, i.e. the people but in this country, owned by the government means - owned by the First Family to do whatever they please. Well, the former Elections Commissioner is enjoying his "retirement" in some Timbaktoo land as an Ambassador with his wife doing a roaring business in garments! Who says "crime" does not pay!

    SPARTAN Saturday, 08 September 2012 08:19 AM

    SILLY COMMENT

    asoka Saturday, 08 September 2012 06:56 AM

    Can somebody shed light as to where former election commissioner who derailed the election system here is now.

    Imran Hussein Saturday, 08 September 2012 05:31 AM

    State owned TV Stations to be told? How comical it is. So those TV stations do not know the basics or perhaps they been doing what the doctor has ordered.

    Jeevan Friday, 07 September 2012 08:27 PM

    Why? Are the results not good for RED SHAWLS! Masses already know that!

    weha Saturday, 08 September 2012 03:44 AM

    No No results won't change much you know our people ne. it just shows how guilty some people feel. if you have actually done your duties right you don't have to fear. that is what we were taught in school

    Farzan Saturday, 08 September 2012 03:01 AM

    State owned means owned by the government not by the governing party. Government represent entire citizens of the country. Here the governing party use state media like their own properties. Shame on all the state media.

    Crazy Horse Saturday, 08 September 2012 02:38 AM

    ...But it showed only the white elephants.Dilapidated roads, bridges, hospitals, schools,starving children, scenes of murder, rape and child abuse,rape of the environment, the usual news items we see and hear these days were not there!!

    Crazy Horse Saturday, 08 September 2012 02:31 AM

    Too late, ITN showed MR's achievements in the North-East for hours yesterday!

    weha Saturday, 08 September 2012 01:47 AM

    It is not going to happen. but hats off to the commissioner for atleast trying to do something right :)

    Independent Observer Saturday, 08 September 2012 01:35 AM

    Shame on the two state- owned TV stations
    It's they who should have set the correct example .Shame !!! Shame !!! Shame !!!!!!!!!

    Spartacus Friday, 07 September 2012 11:15 PM

    That is not right. The state owned TVs are the property of the brothers and Ranil.

    Manik Friday, 07 September 2012 10:14 PM

    Where thugs rule law is forced to take a backseat. Remember how a doctor was attacked a few days back by thugs in A'pura.


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