Minister Rambukwella said that whatever was being done was for the benefit of those people and there had been no violations of the election laws.
Reacting to Election Commissi-oner’s lament that he was helpless in the face of the government giving jobs, promotions and transfers in the Sabaragamuwa, North-Central and Eastern Provinces despite it having announced elections to those councils, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella last night maintained that till nominations were received the government was within its rights to carry out any development work or provide jobs or promotions in those areas.
Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya had reportedly said that his powers had been curtailed by the controversial 18th Amendment, which replaced the earlier 17th Amendment, under which there was provision for independent elections, police, bribery and public service commissions among other things.
Minister Rambukwella said that whatever was being done was for the benefit of those people and there had been no violations of the election laws.
(Island)