An initiative of Transparency International of Sri Lanka (TISL), the Programme for Protection of Public Resources (PPPR), notes that the governing party in its presidential election campaign has during December misused state resources amounting to millions of rupees. The PPPR has stated that the Tharunyata Hetak youth organisation headed by the President’s sons Namal and Yoshitha has spent Rs. 89 million (Rs. 89,869,600) of sponsorship funds received from state institutions on advertisements to promote the President on TV and radio.
The report has also laid emphasis on the Tharunyata Hetak youth organisation, which is reportedly receiving high contributions (by way of sponsorships) from several public institutions such as Bank of Ceylon and National Lotteries Board, both of which fall under the purview of the President.
The key officials of this youth organisation are the President’s sons Namal Rajapaksa (chairman) and Yoshitha Rajapaksa (vice chairman)
“Total cost of the advertisements during this period, based on regular disclosed rate cards of the channels, amount to Rs. 84,027,600. We have observed that another amount of Rs. 5,842,000 has been spent on radio advertisements. We note that the cost of political commercials is more than the normal rates disclosed in the rate cards,” the report states.
Further there is an additional cost of production, which has not been ascertainable as at present.
The report has also laid emphasis on the Tharunyata Hetak youth organisation, which is reportedly receiving high contributions (by way of sponsorships) from several public institutions such as Bank of Ceylon and National Lotteries Board, both of which fall under the purview of the President.
The key officials of this youth organisation are the President’s sons Namal Rajapaksa (chairman) and Yoshitha Rajapaksa (vice chairman)
“Total cost of the advertisements during this period, based on regular disclosed rate cards of the channels, amount to Rs. 84,027,600. We have observed that another amount of Rs. 5,842,000 has been spent on radio advertisements. We note that the cost of political commercials is more than the normal rates disclosed in the rate cards,” the report states.
Further there is an additional cost of production, which has not been ascertainable as at present.
