TISL requests EC to stop distribution of religious attire using State funds
Friday, 26 December 2014 23:39
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Transparency International Sri Lanka has written to Elections Commissioner urging him to stop the distribution of religious attire by the Government using State funds. Following is the text of TISL’s letter:
A program to distribute religious attire (Sil Redhi) amounting to Rs. 1,000 million across the Island in a manner that supports the UPFA presidential candidate is underway.
We urge you to take action to immediately halt this program of distributing 800,000 packs of sil redhi using an exorbitant amount of State funds.
Each portion of attire is five meters long. The order has been given to three private companies charging an amount between Rs. 125 to Rs. 160. This payment has been authorised by Venerable Vatinapaha Somananda Thero through the Presidential Secretariat. The finances have being obtained by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
The distribution of the above mentioned packs are currently underway under the supervision of a Bhikku organisation belonging to the Venerable Vatinapaha Somananda Thero. Certain temples have been assigned up to 6,000 packs while others will receive 1,000, 2,000 or 500 packs according to the given instructions. Certain temples have refused to accept these clothing materials while others have questioned why the Government realised their existence only during election times.
According to the provisions within the circular distributed by you; as the Elections Commissioner and the Election Law, the distribution of free goods using public funds during a time when an election has been announced is illegal. Hence we urge you to immediately halt this illegal operation to be held on the upcoming Poya Day.
