June 16. Colombo: The Election Commissioner of Sri Lanka has directed all secretaries of the government bodies to appoint a senior assistant secretary to look into the matter of using public property in election campaigns for the 64 local government bodies scheduled for polls on July 23.

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has sent this circular to President's Secretary, The Secretary of the Cabinet, the Secretary of the Prime Minister, secretaries of all Ministries, secretaries of Provincial Councils, secretaries of Commissions and the District Secretaries.

They are urged to prevent the use of public money, vehicles, and other property of the public institutes and not to manipulate the public servants for the purposes of election propaganda.