Abuse of public resources condemned

• The Program for the Protection of Public Resources – TISL issued a statement regarding the misuse of public resources. Following is the full statement issued by them:

State Funds – State-run Press: On 11 July during the United National Party’s main convention, a large cut-out was displayed outside a state-run printing press. This has been displayed by the press employees of the National Employees Federation who are affiliated with the United National Party. The display of promotional material of this nature violates the circular issued by your commission with regards to this.

The Secretary of the State Press Department’s National Employee’s Federation, Nuwan Buddhika was seen to be interfering with the workers at the press, while wearing a UNP branded T-shirt at the time of the convention. The use of public officials for election promotions is a misuse of public resources.

The United National Party’s election candidate for the Galle district Minister Bandu Lal Bandaragoda arrived at the convention held on 11 July, in a cab bearing the plate number PF – 0704 which belongs to the Southern Provincial Council. (Photographs relevant to the above are attached herewith)

SLTB Buses: A large number of election candidates have been observed to having used SLTB busses for campaigning purposes. The United National Party’s election candidate for the Kurunegala District, Shamal Senarath and the candidate for the Anuradhapura district Karunarathna Herath were observed having their posters displayed on state-owned buses. 

Rs. 100,000 worth of corrugated sheets (huts): North Western Provincial Councillor Minister Sumal Perea has been distributing corrugated sheets worth Rs. 100, 000 in the Halawatha , Thathandiya , Wennapuwa and the Anamaduwa areas. Deputy Minister Dayashrith Tissera who is also the uncle of the aforementioned Provincial Councillor was involved in this distribution. Photographic evidence is also attached herewith.

State owned buildings: The UPFA’s election candidate for the Ratnapura District Pavithra Wanniarachchi is currently maintaining a party office at an old railway station belonging to the Urban Development Authority. This is a misuse of public resources. The relevant photographic evidence is attached herewith.

The UNP election candidate Lakshman Kiriella of Kandy district is currently running an election office in a coconut development authority office belonging to the Ministry of Plantation Industries located within the Kandy District Secretariat.

Even though the Chief Minister of the Central Province would not be contesting for the upcoming parliamentary elections his official residence has been utilised for election campaigning activities. Photographic evidence is attached herewith which depicts a ceremony to bless the election candidates that was held at the official residence. 

We also observed the Trincomalee District leader of the Tamil National Alliance R. Sambandan utilising a meeting hall belonging to the Provincial Council for an election meeting held on 17 July. The ministers arrived for this meeting in their official vehicles. As there is ample opportunity for this hall to be utilised for similar purposes in future, we urge you to take necessary steps to prevent the reoccurrence of this.