Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered not to use his photographs by candidates during the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 5th of next month. President’s office said in a statement that candidates contesting the election are using the photographs of President in their campaign, securing service of Army officers and public officials and promising job appointments.
The statement said President has instructed to strictly advice relevant parties not to use his photograph in election campaign and the public officials to refrain from engaging in political activities.
The move assumes significance as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapksa is seeking two thirds majority in the house to implement its policies and complete the transition after victory of his younger brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Presidential elections last November.
The election to 225 member parliament was delayed twice due to COVID outbreak but campaigning has picked up in past week. Opposition is divided into mainly two groups led by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe and former minister Sajith Premadasa.
