Click here to read the full report by the Transparency International
The global corruption watchdog Transparency International has accused the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on misusing state funds and properties to campaign for his 2010 reelection bid.
Issuing its first report today the Programme for the Protection of Public Resources of Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) criticized the President for using state property and public funds for the campaign activities and urged the public to raise their voice against such abuses.
The report evaluating the non compliance with the guidelines introduced by the Elections Commissioner for the election campaigns say the government is using the armed forces, police and public servants to campaign for the ruling party in the forth coming polls on January 26.
Sri Lanka's election law prohibits the use of state property or public servants for the benefit of candidates.
"The abuse of public resources at elections seems to be a continuing activity in every election in Sri Lanka. The trend seems even more ominous at the current presidential election," TISL said in its report.
Continually violating the election laws the hoardings, cutouts and other election related materials continue to be displayed in public places irrespective of the guidelines to the IGP by the Commissioner of Election to remove such materials.
The TISL report highlighted several instances where some key officials of few public media institutions are concurrently holding political party positions of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party violating election laws.
The report accused the President of holding functions at the Temple Trees to entertain various groups.
"At these events, most of the participants were transported to the venue at State expense and were provided with food and in some instances, even with liquor. The President justified such entertainment events where the cost was borne with the public money as a 'normal cultural practice'," the report said.
The President is facing a fierce competition from his former Army commander General Sarath Fonseka and 20 other at the January polls.
The Sri Lanka branch of the Berlin-based watchdog cited the misuse of funds by the youth organization 'Tharunyata Hetak' led by President's son Namal Rajapaksa.
The youth organisation is reportedly receiving high contributions (by way of sponsorships) from several public institutions such as Bank of Ceylon and National Lotteries Board, both of which fall under the purview of the President, the report pointed out.
The organization has spent over 84 million rupees for advertisements to support the President's campaign, it said. In addition 5.84 million rupees has been spent on radio advertisements.
Given the gravity of such abuses and its impact on the country particularly on its democratic values, the watchdog urged a public outcry to condemn and call upon law enforcement authorities to deal with those powerful persons who abuse public finance for personal gain at elections.
© Colombo Page
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