Ranil misusing state resources to boost image ahead of polls: NPP alleges

Colombo, July 19 (Daily Mirror)- The National People's Power (NPP) today alleged that state funds, vehicles and resources are being used to boost the image of the President ahead of the Presidential election and urged the Elections Commission to look into the matter.

NPP politburo member Sunil Hadunnetti told a news conference that the misuse of state funds for election campaigns have been taking place over the years and that the Aragalaya emerged against such practices.

He said Community Police Committees are being used for political campaigns, the Foreign Employment Ministry together with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) is organising campaigns covering all districts, the National Youth Council is also engaged in various campaigns such as musical shows, Poson celebrations and carnivals while targeting the election.

He said the President is engaged in a programme of distributing free deeds hoodwinking the people and added that huge amounts of money is spent for these functions.

"The expenditure heads of the President is used for these campaigns. Additional funds were also allocated by Parliament for the President recently. He is using these funds for his election campaigning even before announcing his candidacy," he said.

Hadunnetti said these campaigns were scheduled to continue even after the declaration of the election and added that the Elections Commission must stop such misuse of state resources.