Stop wasting public money for Samurdhi Function : JVP

By Ajith Siriwardana 
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday urged the Government to stop unnecessary expenses allocated for functions at this crucial juncture claiming that it was waste of public money to spend Rs. 180 million for the function to distribute Samurdhi allowances to 6,000 recipients.

JVP MP Vijitha Herath told a news conference that Rs. 180 million had been allocated for the function to distribute Samurdhi allowances and that Rs. 10 million had been allocated for putting up stages. 

“The Government has planned to have the State function in Ampara and 25 separate functions in 25 districts. Rs. 4.2 million has been allocated for one stage and it will cost Rs. 10 million only for stages. 

“Rs. 7 million had been allocated for T-Shirts. The government is planning to obtain these funds from the SamurdhiSocial Security Fund,” he said. 

Mr Herath said the country’s economy which was in a crisis situation plunged down even serious situation after the Easter Sunday attack and added that the government should act with responsibility at this crucial juncture. 

“What the Government should do at this moment is to cut down on unnecessary expenses of ministers and funds allocated for functions,” he said. 

The MP said the government had allocated Rs.10 billion from the loan obtained from the IMF to grant Samurdhi allowances to 6000 new recipients in addition to the present 1.4 million recipients whereas it named 2018 as the year to alleviate poverty. 

He said the granting of Samurdhi for new recipients solely aimed at upcoming Presidential Election and that it was immoral to do so at this crucial juncture.