18 April, 2008 - Published 15:00 GMT

UNP protests 'illegal meeting'

The main opposition in Sri Lanka has protested an attempt by the Batticaloa authorities to use government officials for electioneering.

The United National Party (UNP) says Batticaloa Mayor has called a meeting of all Grama Seva Officers (GSO) in the district on Saturday.

"This is clearly illegal. The Mayor has no authority over whole district and calling such a meeting during an election period clearly violates the law," a former UNP parliamentarian Themiya Hurulle told BBC Sandeshaya.

Mr. Hurulle heads UNP’s election monitoring office which starts work on Friday.

The UNP has lodged an official complaint with DIG Navaratne, the police officer in charge of elections at the police headquarters.

Batticloa Mayor, Padmini Prabhakaran, admitted she has called a meeting of GSOs.

However, many other officials are attending the meeting on Saturday, she told BBC Sandeshaya.

Mrs. Prabhakaran, a leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP), won the local polls held in March, this year.

The TMVP, led by Pillayan, is accused of gross human rights violations and threatening opposition canditates.

The eastern Provincial Council (PC) elections are to be held on 10 May.