In the wake of the reports that certain public servants contesting the Local Government (LG) Elections are still drawing their salaries, the Election Commission (EC) stated that it is the responsibility of the relevant institutional heads to ensure that their staff has followed the due process before contesting the elections.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that there was a clear procedure laid out in the Establishments Code, including a separate chapter on the political rights of public servants. 

“It is not something that concerns us. The relevant institution’s head must make sure that the relevant employees have taken proper leave before contesting an election. If any issues arise due to non-compliance, it’s their responsibility to resolve them,” he said.

The Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) claimed recently that several public servants in the education sector, including teachers, principals, and teacher advisors have received their April salaries despite contesting the LG Elections – a move they (CTU) charged violates both the elections-related law and the Establishments Code. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning, CTU President Priyantha Fernando alleged that while over 400 teachers, principals, teacher advisors, and non-academic staff are currently contesting the polls, only a few of them had followed the proper procedures. Under the Elections-related law, he said that those in staff grade positions must resign, and others must obtain no-pay leave before contesting, and alleged however that about 90% have ignored the relevant provisions.

The Establishments Code, in the chapter pertaining to public servants’ political rights, states: “An officer who intends to stand as a candidate for LG Elections should give written notice of such intention to the Head of his/her Department at least one day prior to the date of handing over his/her nomination paper. He/she should be placed on no pay leave from such date up to the date of the elections.”