The use of a photograph depicting two Police Officers who are now in service by the election campaign of Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) Presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been done without their knowledge, according to Police Media Spokesman SSP Ruwan Gunasekara.
A election promotional poster depicting ASP I Jaffna D.D.R Dassanayake and HQI CI Prasad Fernando with Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been widely circulated on various social media outlets, drawing wide spread criticism. “ASP Dassanayake has submitted a complaint in which he claims he did not permit for his image to be used for the election propaganda poster”. Both Policemen were unaware their images were used in this manner, Gunasekara confirmed.
According to Gunasekara, the officers had been photographed while they were in coversation with the Presidential candidate during his visit to the North while on the election campaign trail. “We provide maximum security to candidates during the campaign and it’s common for the officers in charge to speak to politicians, but this does not mean they permitted the use of this image for election purposes,” Gunasekara said.
Election Commission laws as per Article 104 B (4) (a) prohibits state officials from promoting a party or candidate during an election.
The SLPP campaign also had a snag previously when it used the image of Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva and a statement he made in 2009 in its promotional material.
Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshpriya said they are yet to receive a complaint in this regard and necessary action will be taken once a complaint is lodged.
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