Minister Dilan Perera who paid a surprise visit to the National Housing Development Authority Stores in Badulla yesterday stopped some 4,000 roofing sheets being loaded into a lorry to be taken to Trincomalee for distribution among voters.
He charged that the roofing sheets were to be distributed as an inducement to garner votes for a candidate of the National Freedom Front (NFF) headed by Housing Minister Wimal Weerwansa.
Minister Perera said the roofing sheets were to be distributed among the poor in the Badulla District.
The NHDA comes under Minister Wimal Weerawansa and the roofing sheets were to be taken to Trincomalee on the instructions of the NHDA Chairman.
Minister Perera said he had lodged a complaint to the Elections Commissioner as it was a violation of election law.
Minister Weerwansa had fielded candidates from the NFF for the Eastern Provincial Council election from the Trincomalee District because party did not receive any slots on the UPFA ticket.
Palitha Ariyawansa