Ministry ready to fund increasing presidential candidates: Siyambalapitiya

Colombo, August 11 (Daily Mirror) - The increase in the number of candidates for the Presidential election is not a problem, and the Finance Ministry is prepared to allocate funds based on the estimates presented, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said while addressing a programme in Yatiyantota.

The Minister said the expenditure estimate for the Presidential election has not yet exceeded the Rs. 10 billion limit.

"If the number of candidates becomes too large for the ballot paper, an extension may be needed. This could lead to an increase in the number of ballot boxes and an additional cost of about Rs. 100 million per candidate. However, preparations are being made to fund the submitted estimates," the Minister said.

"The Election Commission noted that Rs. 10 billion has been allocated for the election. There is still money left after the allocations for the submitted estimates. They added that aside from expenses such as printing, security and transport, some costs like officials' allowances, do not need to be spent immediately," the Minister said.

"The Finance Ministry should not entertain any doubts about the funds for the election, as the money will be provided after the expenditure reports are submitted," he added.