Sumanthiran accuses President AKD of repeatedly offering bribes to voters
Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) General Secretary and former MP M.A. Sumanthiran has raised concerns over President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent statement regarding the allocation of funds for Local Councils ahead of the election.
Taking to ‘X’, Sumanthiran said that it was regrettable that the President has chosen to repeatedly offer bribes to voters by stating that funds will be more easily allocated to councils governed by NPP and not to others. Sumanthiran pointed out that this was false as it is an election offence.
“This is all the more serious as Article 33 (c) of the Constitution stipulates that one of the functions of the President is to ensure the creation of proper conditions for the conduct of free and fair elections, at the request of the Election Commission. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Will the Election Commission of Sri Lanka Act?” he questioned.Concerns have been raised by several political parties after the President had recently said during a political rally for the Local Government Councils, that he would easily allocate money to councils governed by the National People’s Power (NPP) and not to others.
While addressing a rally organized for the upcoming local government elections, the President said that approving funds for local councils under NPP control can be done instantly. However, the same cannot be done for councils run by other parties, as they have been found to be corrupt in the past and require thorough consideration, he added.
The statement was made in view of the Local Government Elections, which are scheduled for 06 May 2025
