• Social media even attempted to convince people that providing mobile toilet facilities was a mistake

Disclosing the expenses of the Independence Day celebration, the President’s Office said yesterday the government spent only Rs. 11 million on the 75th National Independence Day celebrations this year, which is lesser than the estimated amount.  

The President’s Media Division (PMD) issuing a statement on false news circulating on social media said the government has spent only Rs.11,130,011.29 on the 75th National Independence Day celebrations this year.  

“Allocating provisions for the official state ceremony of the National Independence Day celebration is also a common practice, and the amount spent on the official state ceremony of the 75th National Independence Day celebration held this year was significantly lesser than the estimated amount,” the PMD said.  The PMD said the false news circulating on social media have even attempted to convince the people that even providing mobile toilet facilities during the Independence Day celebration was a mistake.  

However, it should be emphasized that high-ranking foreign diplomats were invited to this celebration including the Japanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Takei Shunsuke, Bhutan’s Minister of Education and Skill Development Jai Bir Rai, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, Pakistan’s Minister of State for External Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan, Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.  

Further, around 3,200 dignitaries including ambassadors, High Commissioners of foreign countries, as well as 6,670 armed forces personnel and the police attended the ceremony.  
Also, these mobile toilet facilities were provided for the personnel engaged in the pre-training for the Independence celebration.  

It should also be noted that not paying adequate attention to such an essential aspect at an official state event where a large number of people gather, is a disgrace to the country.  
The PMD also refuted news circulated on social media that Rs. 5.8 million has been freely spent for this event from the money allocated for education by the government.   
However, although the Ministry of Education has estimated the initial cost for this event, none of that money has been spent.