Election monitor Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has raised concerns on the usage of helicopters owned by Sri Lanka Air Force to transport politicians to election rallies in the run-up to the presidential poll.
Issuing a statement, TISL said that this could amount to a violation of election laws as released through a gazette by the National Election Commission.
The gazette states that “All Secretaries of Ministries / Heads of Departments should ensure that public funds are not utilized for the use of airplanes or helicopters or other vehicles for political propaganda activities.”
Accordingly, TISL urged the relevant authorities including the Air Force to ensure that the laws are followed.
“If these services have been paid for, the ability of certain candidates to procure such services raises questions around the financing of their campaigns," TISL Executive Director Asoka Obeyesekere said.
He called upon presidential candidates to disclose their information on campaign financing to ensure that state resources have not been misused.
A Thai woman walking topless in Arugam Bay town has been arrested by the Police.
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal for Sri Lankans overseas to apply for their passports through an online system via the Lankan diplomatic missions.
Ajith Gallage, the owner of a Bird Park in Nagarawawa, Hambantota, has been remanded over allegations of concealing illegally imported motorcycles, in a warehouse owned by him.
A passenger attempting to smuggle the largest quantity of gold of 35 kilo grams was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today, a senior official said.
Leave Comments