NDF lodges a complaint at NEC as their hotline gets blocked

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A group comprising of Presidential Candidates and their representatives, arrived at the National Election Commission today (November 06). The group arrived at the Election Commission to attend a meeting focused on the upcoming Presidential Election. The Chairman of the National Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya and the acting IGP also attended the meeting. Attorney-at-Law Premanath C. Dolawatta speaking to the media following the meeting accused state media organisations of flouting election laws while claiming that private media organisations are attempting to act in an impartial manner. The presidential candidate of the Sihala Urumaya, Sarath Manamendra addressing the media stated that a number of issued were raised regarding the actions of the media. He claimed that certain private media networks are overstepping their boundaries but praised Swarnawahini and Sirasa for supporting all candidates. Manamendra also claimed that certain channels are taking steps to promote certain candidates especially during their morning telecasts. Civil Societies lodged several complaints at the National Election Commission today, related to breaches of election laws. Saman Rathnapriya, Co-Convenor of the Civil Society and Trade Unions' Collective claimed that they have received multiple complaints regarding the actions of media networks and urged the national elections commission to take immediate action. Meanwhile, officials of the NDF also raised concerns regarding actions taken by the TRCSL to block the hotline introduced for their presidential candidate. Minister Ajith P. Perera speaking to reporters outside the NEC claimed that an order was issued by the commission yesterday calling on the TRCSL to provide the 1326 hotline for the NDF to facilitate their electoral activities. The MP claimed that Director-General of the TRCSL, Shamal Jayathilaka has gone against the directive of the NEC and is attempting to alter the hotline number illegally. After speaking with the reporters Minister Ajith P Perera arrived at the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to inquire why the operations of the 1326 telephone hotline of the New Democratic Front has been delayed. The Minister remained at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission for more than 4 hours to meet its Director-General. But he was not able to meet the Director-General today. Ajith P. Perera, Non-Cabinet Minister: ".. when we spoke to the Elections Commission about this, they said that we should make a complaint to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. We arrived here with our lawyers to speak about this issue, but this particular individual is hiding. He may even be hiding in this building. We have been here for nearly 6 hours but we have been unable to meet him. This is a shame as he is enjoying this position because of the Yahapalanaya regime."