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Last Updated : 2024-05-08 11:56:00
19 March 2024 08:36 am - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, March 19 (Daily Mirror) - The cash-strapped government will have to cough up another Rs.11 billion in case a snap parliamentary election is declared ahead of the Presidential Election which is anyway due in terms of the Constitution during the last quarter of this year, Daily Mirror learns.
This will be in addition to over Rs.10 billion already allocated to the Election Commission in the 2024 budget for the conduct of the Presidential Election.
A spokesman for the Election Commission told Daily Mirror that money had not been allocated in the current budget for a General Election since it is not scheduled for this year. However, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has the discretion to dissolve Parliament at any time to call for a snap general election. Also, he is empowered to allocate money from the Consolidated Fund to conduct the general election if declared by him.
The Constitution says the President can dissolve Parliament and fix a date for a general election. Unless Parliament has already made provision in that behalf, the President can authorize allocations from the Consolidated Fund for required expenditure after consultation with the election authorities.
Currently, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) which ensures parliamentary support for the President to run the government insists on a general election. However, the United National Party (UNP) which is headed by the President, says it is ill-advised to have a general election.
FredSnR Tuesday, 19 March 2024 09:06 AM
By now the govt should know what it is going to do, Presidential or Parliamentary, otherwise how can it run the country
ian Bertus Tuesday, 19 March 2024 10:23 AM
Rajapaksas care 2 hoots for the country whether there is money or not for 2 elections.But a future Government must hold them responsible because if they did not have money for the Provincial Elections - they must explain from where money was found for the Parliamentary elections?
Voter Tuesday, 19 March 2024 10:26 AM
If they have cash for everything else,why are they cash strapped only for elections?
melville perera Tuesday, 19 March 2024 10:27 AM
confiscate the extravagant expenditure of the central bank which could mitigate half the cost
Malalgoda Tuesday, 19 March 2024 10:41 AM
If both the presidential election and the general election are held on same day, a significant amount of money can be saved. If this president is really concerned about money he can do this. If there's a will, there's a way.
Gus Baluus Tuesday, 19 March 2024 10:48 AM
So...until the fish mongers and thieves contest for their perks and benefits, shall we stop paying Income Taxes?
sam Tuesday, 19 March 2024 11:20 AM
Whether cash is available or not the gov must ensure elections are held on time
Cherath Tuesday, 19 March 2024 04:11 PM
Remove President's foreign trips to attend funerals, weddings, inaugurations and summit meetings where no other state leaders attend. That ought to cough up a sizeable chunk. Put a stop to the humongous increase in salaries of CBofSL staff. Cut down on cabinet ministers' perks and allowances. There's the 10 billion!
Macaw Tuesday, 19 March 2024 11:00 PM
Whatever readers comment the parliament will be dissolved immediately by the President elect and will have to be held this year
kumar Wednesday, 20 March 2024 09:32 AM
Then why not have both together?
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