By Rathindra Kuruwita
The government is misusing state property at a time a crucial election is only a few months away, People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has said.
PAFFREL Executive Director, Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that the government had launched a number of initiatives, aimed at the anticipated presidential election. These initiatives, including the distribution of rice to the poor, are costing billions in tax money, he added.
“The government has allocated 10 million rupees for each local government area for development activities. The funds will be used at the discretion of the governor of the province. The governor is the direct representative of the President and it is obvious that this is an endeavor aimed at the election.”
Hettiarachchi said earlier that the President has ordered officials to finish all government projects by July 31.
“The presidential election will be declared in August. This is why the government wants to finish projects by July 31. It spends billions of taxes, as well as enormous physical and human resources of the State, for its election activities. “We are writing a letter to the Elections Commission to put an end to this.”
The PAFFREL Executive Director said that the country is facing a colossal economic crisis and that the government used this to postpone local government elections indefinitely. However, the government has enough money in its coffers to bribe the people in view of the election, he said.
