SLPP PS member disqualified from membership for offering ‘bribes’ during elections

A member elected to a Pradeshiya Sabhawa in the Monaragala area has been disqualified for being a member after it was proved that he had bribed voters to vote in favour of him at the elections.

The member D.M. Harshaka Priya Dissanayake was elected from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) for the Monaragala Pradeshiya Sabhawa at the 2018 elections.

In a landmark judgment, High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake held that it was proved that various types of bribes had been offered to obtain votes to be elected from the Madurakeiya division.

The member was accused of paying for electricity and water connections, distribution of dry rations and also distributing liquor asking voters to vote for him at the elections.

The petition had been filed by United National Party candidate Wanasinghe Mudiyanselage Shantha who claimed that he was at a disadvantage due to bribes offered by the rival member.

The petitioner had obtained the relevant information to prove his case through Right to Information applications while several of those who were given bribes too were cited as witnesses.

The SLPP member has a six-week period to appeal in the case, failing which he will stand disqualified.

President's Counsel U.R.de Silva appeared for the SLPP member.

Hailing the judgement, People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi said it sends a timely reminder that bribing voters at future elections will result in the perpetrator losing the seat. 

Mr Hettiarachchi described it as "a decisive and landmark judgment in the history of elections in Sri Lanka."

The judgment has been given in respect of a case filed by PAFFREL in collaboration with loosing candidate and the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) against a candidate of one of the local government bodies in the Moneragala District for offering various kinds of bribes to the voters at the last local government elections.

"This historic ruling will serve as a deterrent to future candidates in bribing the voters. Even if they continue to bribe, their election will be liable to be challenged subsequently. In addition, the need for enacting laws to limit election expenses by candidates and provision of a level playing field for all candidates in an election has been re- emphasized," the PAFFREL Executive Director stressed. 

He also said that it is important to note that the implementation of the Right to Information Act has paved the way for procuring the information required for this victory.