This request has been made yesterday (11) by the Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya in a letter to the President.

Currently, A.J.M. Muzammil serves as the Western Province Governor, Peshala Jayaratne as the Wayamba Province Governor, Sarath Ekanayake as the North Central Province Governor and Shan Wijayalal de Silva as the Eastern Province Governor.

In his letter to the President, the Election Commissioner has noted that complaints have been received that these governors are utilising state resources to campaign towards the victory of the SLPP candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. 

It states that at a time when the President is acting impartial and independently, it is an issue that his provincial representatives are engaging in politics. 

Therefore, the Election Commissioner has requested the President to send these governors on leave until November 18thand to advice them not to use state resources and official residences for political purposes.