MP Mano Ganesan, in a letter addressed to Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance Harsha de Silva, urged to probe any unauthorised use of funds allocated for Provincial Council elections for any other purposes.
The following is the letter by MP Ganesan to the COPF Chairman:
I write with reference to a statement reportedly made by Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the principal constituent party of the National People’s Power (NPP) Government.
According to media reports, Silva stated, in substance, that funds allocated and set aside for the conduct of Provincial Council elections had been utilised by the Government for disaster-rebuilding and related purposes.
While he is reported to have made further remarks, I confine my attention to the above statement, which raises a serious matter concerning public finance and parliamentary oversight.
To the best of my knowledge, Parliament has not approved any transfer or reallocation of funds earmarked for Provincial Council elections to any other expenditure head or purpose. If the statement attributed to Silva is accurate, it may indicate that such funds have been utilised without the requisite parliamentary authorisation.
In view of the above, I respectfully request that the Committee on Public Finance inquire into this matter and ascertain whether any transfer, reallocation or expenditure of funds allocated for Provincial Council elections has occurred in a manner inconsistent with parliamentary approval and financial regulations.
I would be grateful if the Committee could examine the facts and take any action deemed appropriate within its mandate.