UNP renews call for Competent Authority

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

The UNP yesterday renewed its call to the Commissioner of Elections to appoint a Competent Authority to monitor the State Media during the post nominations period leading to the November 17 poll.

The UNP Deputy General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said the Government was using the State media to sling mud at the UNP's Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe while devoting more airtime and space in the print media to boost the image of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.

"It is very unfair to use the State media for narrow political advantage in this manner to sling mud at political opponents.

We request the Elections Commissioner to appoint a competent authority for the State media which are run by the public funds. We ask for balanced coverage," Attanayake said.

He explained that his party had constantly been requesting the Commissioner in this regard. Their representatives will be meeting the Commissioner again to discuss this issue.