Over 300 Government vehicles yet to be returned

As per the information gathered from various ministries, departments and corporations, a total of 300 Government-owned vehicles have not been returned to the relevant authorities, Transparency International Sri Lanka’s (TISL’s) Programme for Protection of Public Resources said in a complaint to Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya.

“It has come to our understanding that the said vehicles are being used by candidates of the political parties in various election-related activities,” the TISL complaint noted.

According to the complaint, former parliamentarians, staff of Parliamentarians, members of Provincial Councils and their staff and the chairpersons of local government authorities are using these vehicles.

TISL has requested the Elections Commissioner to take appropriate action in accordance with the Election Act so as to obtain custody over the aforementioned vehicles.

Meanwhile, TISL’s sources have confirmed that 76 buses belonging to the Anuradhapura depot have been used to transport supporters for the United National Party (INP) rally held on 10 August at the Kada Panaha area in Anuradhapura. The depot has released these buses to the abovementioned party on a basis of issuing tickets at a cost of between Rs. 2000 and Rs. 3000. 

Due to the large sum of buses (76 buses) that were misused for this purpose, the general public, including students sitting for their A-Level examination, faced much strife. 

Officials belonging to the media unit of the Ministry of Social Services, including the media secretary, videographer and photographer plus other officials, including a driver, are currently involved in the election activities of the UNP candidate for the Anuradhapura District, the Minister of Social Services P.Harrison the complaint further said.

In addition to this, a vehicle bearing the licence plate WP-NB 0516, belonging to the ministry, has been used to transport the abovementioned officials to paste posters and to distribute bills. Accommodation for this group has been provided in a lodge belonging to the Livestock Development Board situated in area 1, Wewa Road, Anuradhapura.

Public officials and state-owned guest houses have been misused for election purposes in this manner. 

Similarly, the Media Unit and the Media Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Drainage and Water Supply have been used for campaigning activities of the UNP candidate for the Kandy District Rauf Hakeem. The campaigns were held in both Kandy and in Trincomalee.

A vehicle belonging to the aforementioned ministry bearing the licence plate WPPPD 4798 has been used for the transportation of these individuals.

TISL has observed that the sound systems used during an election campaign of the UPFA election candidate Thilanga Sumathipala severely disturbed students of Nalanda Vidyalaya and other surrounding schools who were sitting for their AL examinations. The meeting was held in an illegal manner by blocking the whole of Milina Sumathipala Mawatha.