By Gagani Weerakoon
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) yesterday urged the Education Ministry to issue a circular preventing all schools from being used for political activities.
Kurunegala District parliamentarian Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, while noting that certain schools are being used to hold political rallies, insisted such activities should be stopped as it also results in damaging school properties.
“For instance, a certain political party used Sanghamitta Girls’ School to provide accommodation for its supporters who came to attend May Day rally of that party. The school administration was compelled to close the school the next day as these who were accommodated had virtually vandalized the place,” he said.
He alleged that a certain candidate in Anuradhapura is distributing money to various schools in the district in North Central Province.
In response, Deputy Minister of Education Vijith Wijeayamuni Soyza said such matters are not under his purview thus, the member should raise such matters or conduct with Elections Commissioner. However, when further clarification was sought Deputy Minister Soyza said no one can damage school properties in such a manner.
“There is a possibility of issuing a circular to prevent schools from being used to carry out political activities in such a manner and I will bring it to the notice of relevant authorities,” he noted.
