Treasury tells EC no cash for LG polls

Saturday, 18 February 2023 01:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Blames economic crisis and circular cutting down Govt. expenses for inability to provide funds
Says fund disbursement is now only allowed for essential purposes as per the circular
Claims any other non-essential expenditures, in this case, the LG polls must be approved by Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe

Treasury Secretary K.M. Mahinda Siriwa-rdana has officially informed the Election Commission of Sri Lanka that the Treasury is facing difficulties in providing the necessary funds requested to hold the upcoming Local Government polls due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country.

According to EC Chairperson Attorney-at-Law Nimal Punchihewa, this was informed to the EC when Siriwardana and other top officials of the Ministry of Finance were summoned before the commission yesterday.

Citing the National Budget Circular 01/2023 issued in February by the Ministry in a bid to curtail Government expenditure, Siriwardana had said disbursement of funds has now been limited to only essential services and any other expenditures that are considered non-essential must be approved by Finance Minister President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Local Govt. postal vote postponed indefinitely