Rs.1.177 bn spent on CHOGM publicity

21 February 2015 05:05 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Mass Media and Information Ministry has spent as much as Rs.1.177 billion for the publicity and media coverage of the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM) conducted in Colombo in 2013, Parliament was informed yesterday.

Media Minister Gayantha Karunatilake placed these details before the House in response to a question raised by JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The minister said these monies had been spent from treasury grants and he too could not fathom as to why such a colossal amount of money was spent for media related activities by the previous government.

Rs.828 million had been spent for the construction and maintenance of the media centre. Rs.180 million had been spent for publicity programmes in the electronic media, Rs. 144 million for public awareness programmes, Rs. 4 million for the purchase of office equipment, Rs. 396, 696 for the creation of the official logo and newspaper advertisements, Rs. 10 million for the entertainment of local and foreign journalists including the provision of dinner for them.

Raising a supplementary question, Mr. Dissanayake said it was amazing that as much as Rs.10 million had been spent for the entertainment of journalists.

"I was taken aback to hear it. These details have surfaced because of the election of a new government. Otherwise, these details would have been concealed or suppressed," he said.

The Minister, who is also the Chief Government Whip, said he too could not believe it.

"Let’s hope we will not hear such waste of public funds in the future. There are no bills to support some expenses," he said.(Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 26

Vijith Pieterz Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:37 PM

Mahinda is answerable for these un-wanted expenses. 50% commission went to him.

Fassey Saturday, 21 February 2015 09:07 PM

All for MR boru show and publicity. What is the outcome of CHOGM? Has govt got new investors other than China and James Packer? MR is a selfish power hungry man. Before nominations for the next general election all the previous regime rogues Should be put behind bars.

aza Saturday, 21 February 2015 07:32 PM

how about the money spent by baby Rajapaksha ? HE SPENT GOVERNMENT MONEY AS his own to win common wealth games to SriLanka but could not even win voes of Asian countries Namal should be brought into custody for what he done with Cabbrall who approved the expenditure

TONY Saturday, 21 February 2015 06:00 PM

MR SPENT LAVISHLY AND IN STYLE. NEVER THOUGHT OF MONEY. HE KEPT SPENDING AS IF THEY PICKED FROM THE TREES. ALL THIS HE DID FOR HIS PERSONAL BENEFITS.

Waco Saturday, 21 February 2015 03:52 PM

You better find out that from any body else.

de silva Saturday, 21 February 2015 03:21 PM

This is public money.So somebody must answer for this.The person who authorized the payments should answer and pay back.

Kiris Baba Amaray Saturday, 21 February 2015 02:19 PM

Hay Waco, did you wash clothes to Aluthgamage or did you receive any packages from him in Millions?

oberver Saturday, 21 February 2015 02:09 PM

The new low is taking the goods stolen by theives to custody and leaving thevies along.lot of baby elephant was fund and no one were arested.high talk and zero action.theives support theives.

Kiris Baba Amaray Saturday, 21 February 2015 02:05 PM

Now itself it has started, MR is turning to be a Lunatic - drinking

Haalpaaru Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:57 PM

Also, for this occasion, check out the basis of the Event Organizer getting 40 million plus Rupees just for a show with the dances , DJ music and songs, assigned over the counter on friendly-basis by Namal Rajapassa. We paid, they pocketed.

citizen perera Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:41 PM

Was there any tangible benefit from the CHOGM Only ostentation and self- aggrandisement Taxpayers have to only grin and bear. via DM Android App

J Palitha Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:38 PM

Oh my God, what a big crime it is? MR for sure the curse will come upon you and your family.

Waco Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:37 PM

Once MR said any corruption allegation brought against the previous Government, MS is also partly responsible. Because MS was a cabinet Minister in the previous Government.

karu Saturday, 21 February 2015 10:43 AM

Sri Lankans are not an aspirational society, but an expecting society. Very soon they will ask for the benefits from the Govt for the surplus that should exist when there is no corruption. Exposing the shortcomings of the previous regime alone will not do unless more freebies are given to the public.

Horri Jimonis Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:36 PM

Those days it happened, now with MS no hanky panky Sir.

Desmond Jeromme Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:34 PM

How many Billions to MR on this issue?

Kiris Baba Amaray Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:32 PM

A seperate investigation should be done by the CID on MR for this frauds.

Waco Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:31 PM

Prime Mnistet should be held responsible for finding and bringing the officers responsible for this criminal wastage of public funds, to books.

hana Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:10 PM

when we have such an unethical political party in power , how can the government force innocent people to pay tax?

Mason Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:09 PM

Probe the assets of the big-shots in the Mass Media and Information Ministry who were there during CHOGM, you may be able to trace some of the terminals of the money spent.

Concerned Friend Saturday, 21 February 2015 12:08 PM

What about the additional expenditure incurred by the Governor of the Central Bank when he took a plane load of friends to St. Kits for supporting the bid.

kamal Saturday, 21 February 2015 11:54 AM

These expenses were kind of work done by maniacs.

Waco Saturday, 21 February 2015 11:52 AM

I feel this Government covers up for the previous government. This government is hood-winking the people..

tissa Saturday, 21 February 2015 11:03 AM

do that include GMC funds wasted onfunny thing is MD have to handover the kekillr crown back via DM Android App

kan Saturday, 21 February 2015 11:02 AM

How can a criminal arrest other criminals? In pocketing money, they all support each other.

C.K.lankaputhra. Saturday, 21 February 2015 10:47 AM

So does it mean that there is no one answerable for this criminal wastage of public funds. Does it mean that this government will ignore and proceed.

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Rs.1.177 bn spent on CHOGM publicity

Comments - 26

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