Cabinet decides UPFA will be sued to reclaim SLTB dues

The cabinet of ministers, headed by President Maithripala Sirisena, has decided to sue the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to claim unpaid dues to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) to the tune of Rs. 142.5 million.

The funds are owed for the use of SLTB buses used during the January presidential election, Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said.

The Cabinet had decided on Wednesday that the Government would file legal action against UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha to reclaim the money.

Senaratne said that the UPFA had been repeatedly requested to pay their dues to SLTB, for the use of buses for election work. The party, headed by the President who remains chairman of the alliance, had been notified of the amounts due, the Cabinet Spokesman said.

“Since the sum has not yet been paid, the decision has been made to file legal action,” Senaratne explained during a media briefing yesterday.

Meanwhile, UPFA General Secretary Premajayantha said it was unreasonable to direct accusations at him since President Sirisena was also responsible for the party’s finances as incumbent Chairman.

The buses had not been hired under his name, Premajayantha told journalists. He urged that legal action should be taken against those who paid an advance to hire the buses.

Premajayantha also accused the Cabinet of overstepping, saying the ministers were taking action that should be taken by the Attorney General and the Police.