Treasury Secretary informs EC of difficulties in funding LG election

 

Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena has informed the National Election Commission about the difficulties in providing funding for the 2023 local government elections.

The Election Board says that the treasury secretary has pointed out the bad financial situation and the administrative decision taken by the government to allocate money only for essential services as the reasons for not being able to release the money needed for the election.

In a discussion between the Election Commission and Finance Ministry officials yesterday (February 17) regarding the funding for the upcoming local government elections, the Treasury Secretary informed the Chairman of the Election Authority, Nimal G. Punchihewa.

Earlier this month, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy, instructed the Treasury Secretary to provide funds only for essential public services.