The UNP yesterday urged Education Ministry to issue a circular to ban the use of schools for political activities.
The UNP yesterday urged Education Ministry to issue a circular to ban the use of schools for political activities.
UNP Kurunegala District MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said in Parliament that schools, not only in the areas where elections were to be held on September 8, but also elsewhere, were being used for political work such as electioneering. Political meeting were held within school premises. Those activities must be stopped forthwith, he said.
"For instance, a political party used the Borella Sanghamitta College to provide accommodation to its supporters who attended its May Day rally. They virtually ruined the place. The following day the school administration had to declare a holiday to clear the mess," MP Kariyawasam said.
He alleged that a certain candidate in the Anuradhapura District was holding ceremonies at schools in the area to distribute funds. It was nothing but a ploy to carry out propaganda work, he said.
Deputy Education Minister Vijith Wijyamuni Soyza said that the matter did not come under his purview and it should be referred to the Commissioner of Elections.
The deputy minister said that damaging property of any school had to be condemned and undertook to take up the matter with the relevant authorities and explore the possibility of issuing a circular to ban on using schools for political purposes.
(Island)