Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has offered what opposition circles see as “election bonanzas” for schools in the province.
They say he has called on school authorities to accept the offers a day ahead of elections. This they allege is contrary to guidelines issued by the Commissioner of Elections.
The Chief Minister, who is also in charge of education, in a circular sent out to schools said his ministry was offering cash varying from Rs. 50,000 to Rs 150,000 for the colour-washing of schools and repairing of buildings.
The principals have been instructed to summon a meeting of the School Development Society and send in the estimates before January 25. UPFA provincial council members in the area have also been asked to attend these meetings.
According to the circular, a school having more than 2,000 students will get Rs. 150,000, a school having between 1,000 and 2,000 students will get Rs. 100,000 while a school having between 500 and 1,000 students will get Rs. 75,000. Schools with less than 500 students will get Rs. 50.000.
The Elections Commissioner’s guidelines isay politicians should not organize or attend public events that could favour any particular candidate. |
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