Aug 21, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has directed the Secretary of the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry to suspend recruitment to public service with immediate effect until after the provincial council election.

The Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs W. D. J. Seneviratne has instructed the Ministry to recruit 43,000 graduates who had graduated since 2005 as Programme Officers under the programme to employ graduates.

The graduates were given appointments in the state sector to serve in ministries, departments and statutory bodies. The Ministry had also taken measures to recruit graduates who passed out in 2010 and 2011 as well.

Reportedly when the Election Commissioner was made aware of the Ministry's move, he had issued the directive to suspend the appointments until after the election.

Recruitment to state sectors during the period between the nominations were handed in and election day is a violation of election laws.

Election for Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern provinces will be held on September 08.