• Says no funds can be given to govt. illegally from back door
• Opposition willing to support govt. at this time of crisis

By Yohan Perera   

Government officials attached to the Treasury could be dealt as per the penal code if they handover funds to the government for expenditure from the back door after today, former Minister Lakshman Kiriella said.   Mr. Kiriella told a media conference that the government could spend funds for three months from the date specified for the meeting of new Parliament. 

“The new gazette notification only specify the date of elections on June, 20 2020 . It has not specified a date on which Parliament would meet. Therefore the government cannot spend funds legally from yesterday,” Mr Kiriella said.   

“ If the treasury hands over funds to the government for spending those relevant officers could be charged under the penal code for violating the Constitution.” he added. 

 
“The Sri Lankan government could go into a shut down in addition to COVID-19 lock down like it happened in USA some time back,” he added.   

“ Therefore we request the government to re-convene Parliament even it is late so that we in the Opposition will support spending,” he said while the opposition has decided to practice responsible cooperation at this point of time when the country is facing a crisis.