"If you want to engage in political activity, resign" - President tells Government Officers

by Zulfick Farzan 08-06-2020 | 6:02 PM

Colombo (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today instructed the heads and board members of state corporations, statutory bodies and government institutions to refrain from working for any political party or engage in any political activity at the upcoming General Election.

A statement from the President's Media Division said if a Head, Board Member, or any other officer in a government body wishes to engage in political activity on behalf of a political party, he or she can do so by legally resigning from the position.

According to the PMD, the President under any circumstance does not expect the heads of Government Institutions and officers to engage in political activity on behalf of the government.

The President is of the position, it is the duty of the heads of state bodies and officials to develop their respective institutions into efficient, productive, disciplined, and profit-making ventures, untainted with fraud and corruption.

The President stressed as government institutions are maintained with the tax-payers money, these institutions should not be a burden to the general public.

The President had further noted physical and monetary resources of Ministries, Departments, Corporations and Statutory Bodies should not be used for the political activity of any political party at the upcoming general election.

The PMD noted strict legal action will be enforced against any head of government institution, director board member, or official who violates these instructions.