Campaign cost of political parties amounts to Rs. 514 Mn for two weeks: CMEV

A report released by the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) yesterday estimated that a total of Rs. 514 million has been spent by political parties for their general election campaigning for two weeks starting from July 2.

CMEV National Coordinator Manjula Gajanayake said that Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) has spent Rs. 185 million while Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has spent Rs. 151 million just for two weeks between July 2 and July 15.

He said out of the campaign cost of SJB, Rs. 168 million was spent for electronic media, Rs. 6 million for print media, Rs. 2 million for social media and Rs. 9 million for other expenses.

Mr. Gajanayake said SLPP has spent Rs. 107 million for electronic media, Rs. 19 million for print media, Rs. 5 million for social media and Rs. 20 million for other expenses.

He said National Peoples’ Power (NPP) has spent Rs. 36 million, Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya has spent Rs. 13 million and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Rs. 5 million for their election campaign.

Mr. Gajanayake said other costs included expenses connected to arranging and conducting public meetings, rallies, pocket meetings, musical shows, business forums, distribution of cash, arranging religious journeys, use of promotional materials and functions promoting candidates.

He said other costs also included expenses connected to arranging and displaying of banners, posters, cut-outs, signboards, leaflets and any such printed material, transportation of crowds for public meetings or the use of electronic displays to promote any candidate contesting the parliamentary general election. (Ajith Siriwardana)