Presidential candidates to spend up to Rs. 5,000 million on election in 30 days: Janaka Rathnayaka

Colombo, August 19 (Daily Mirror) - Presidential candidate Janaka Rathnayaka revealed today that the main Presidential candidates are expected to spend between Rs. 3,000 million and Rs. 5,000 million on their election campaigns over the next thirty days for the upcoming election.

Speaking to the media at the Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya, he said it is not good for the country to spend so much money on the election, especially when the country is in a crisis.

He also mentioned that millions of voters attend election meetings and rallies, with politicians using these funds to bring them in. People have already rejected all 225 MPs in parliament, but politicians still spend money to gather crowds.

According to a statement issued by the 'United Lanka Podujana Party,' a discussion was held by the Elections Commission on August 16 with all Presidential candidates and their agents. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the best amount to spend on a single voter.

"Spending  Rs. 3,000 million to Rs. 5,000 million for the election campaigns will help to settle half of the country's debt. Therefore, it is better to investigate how the candidates have so much money in their acounts without paying taxes," Rathnayaka said. 

In a country where 40% of the population cannot afford a meal, spending such a large amount of money on politics is absurd, he added.