Army Commander distances himself from controversial ad

• Informs EC he had no prior knowledge nor gave permission to use his photograph and comments
• Def. Sec. writes to EC, giving Commander’s side of story
• EC has banned use of photographs or paintings of public officers, in any manner, to promote parties or candidates
• Political parties asked not to use photographs of even retired military officers in uniform

By Chandani Kirinde

Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva has informed the Election Commission (EC) that   the use of his photograph as well as a comment attributed to him in a newspaper advertisement placed in support of SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa was done without his knowledge and permission.

The letter giving the clarification sent to the Defence Ministry by Lt. Gen. Silva, was forwarded to the EC yesterday by the Secretary to the Minister of Defence Shantha Kottegoda. The EC had sought a clarification from the Defence Secretary on how a photograph of the serving Army Commander came to be used as part of an election propaganda campaign.

Kottegoda wrote to the EC saying the photograph and the comment attributed to him had been used without permission and he had no direct or indirect involvement in any such political campaign.

The EC released details of the letter to the media last evening

On Wednesday, Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said he deeply regrets the use of much material for election propaganda which is a violation of both the Code of Conduct issued for contesting political parties and candidates as well as the directive issued to public officials prohibiting them from acting in a manner that promotes or causes prejudice in relation to any party or candidate.

He said that the Code of Conduct for those contesting the election requires them to refrain from using photographs or paintings of public officers, in any manner, to promote parties or candidates and that the use of photographs of even retired military officers in uniform is prohibited.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, when asked about the use of the Army Commander’s photograph in an advertisement supporting their campaign at a press briefing this week, said they were unaware of it.