Frustrated polls chief removes competent authority

(January 20, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Competent Authority, appointed to oversee the media, has been removed by the Commissioner of Elections, Dayananda Dissanayake. The polls chief informed of this decision to the secretaries of all parties at a meeting held yesterday.

According to the Elections Secretariat, the Elections Commissioner had taken this measure as the state media had not adhered to any of the regulations laid down by the Competent Authority.

Meanwhile, the Elections Commissioner announced that he had decided to step down from his post following the conclusion of this presidential election.

At the meeting held with party representatives yesterday, the Commissioner emphasised that as he was already a retired official, he will no longer engage himself in election activities following the conclusion of this election.