Thursday, 30 October 2014 00:35
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The second reading debate of the Appropriation Bill took a different turn when Opposition lawmaker Ranjith Madduma Bandara highlighted election law violations at the recent Uva Provincial Council Election.
According to the minister, the Government distributed gifts and drought relief due for the last 18 months shortly before the elections to “bribe” voters.
“Using public money worth Rs. 730 million, the Government distributed gifts among the voters in the region. Three days before the election in Uva, the Government distributed Rs. 2,500 for the drought that was there for over 18 months. The total value of the drought relief distributed adds up to Rs. 300 million,” he added.
In response Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, denying the allegations levelled at the Government, said: “This is a Government which wants to spend money for the betterment of the general public. The borrowed money is also spent on the public. This is our vision. There are five elections within a period of six months so if the Government helps the public you will accuse us of bribing the people for votes. No other country provides such privileges including health and free education.”
The Prime Minister stated that the Budget debate was a right of the Opposition but there were no UNP members in the House at that moment.
“What will your voters think? This shows a lack of vision to develop the country,” Jayaratne asserted. (AH)
