Complaints lodged over PM’s statement

The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has filed a complaint with the Election Commission, accusing Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya of encouraging election campaigning during the legally mandated silent period.

The complaint was filed after the PM had allegedly made a statement that could be construed as a violation of electoral regulations. The incident had occurred during a National People’s Power (NPP) election rally held in Thelawala, Moratuwa, on May 03.

We have monitored that Prime Minister Amarasuriya has made a remark which could be seen as encouraging her supporters to engage in campaigning even after the silent period from May 3 2025. The Premier’s remark is an act of encouraging her supporters to violate electoral law while she has neglected the law herself,” PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hetiarachchi said in his letter.

“The encouragement to campaign during the silent period is not only a disregard for election regulations but also a serious blow to the culture of clean and fair politics we are trying to build,” Hettiarachchi has added.

PAFFREL has urged the Election Commission to launch a thorough investigation into the matter and take the necessary action to maintain the integrity of the upcoming Local Government Election.

Meanwhile, the Smagi Jana Balawegaya too has lodged a complaint with the EC over this event.

Speaking to media after lodging the complaint, SJB MP Mujibur Rahman has said that this statement was serious and as an independent commission, the EC will take measures to nullify all NPP nominations on this grounds.

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