The main opposition United National Party (UNP) today charged that last weekend’s Colombo night races were conducted in an illegal manner and therefore the UNP would lodge a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

“The tickets issued for the event were illegal because the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) had not given its approval to sell such tickets. The Western Provincial Council Chief Minister had exempted the organisers of the night races from paying entertainment taxes to the CMC. This was not a charitable event and as such did not qualify for tax relief. This is why we decided to complain to the Bribery Commission,” UNP Western Provincial Councillor Mujibur Rahman said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)