Colombo, April 22 (The reporter) – The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the main opposition, is facing controversy following revelations that some of its MPs received Rs. 50 million each from the government’s decentralized budget without party authorization, according to Daily Mirror sources.
Traditionally, governments allocated funds to opposition MPs for development projects in their constituencies. However, this practice ceased five years ago, with financial allocations instead being channeled through district coordinating committees.
Under the current government, a revised criterion led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe ensures funds are directed towards employment generation rather than charitable activities. Some SJB MPs, including Gayantha Karunatilake, Dr. Harsha de Silva, Ajith Mannapperuma, Kavinda Jayawardane, and J. C. Alawatuwala, have benefited from these allocations without seeking approval from the party leadership.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara confirmed that none of these MPs received party approval for the funds, stating, “We will address the issue in the upcoming parliamentary group meeting.”
An MP who received Rs. 50 million defended the action, asserting that opposition MPs are entitled to such benefits and emphasizing the importance of people-centric initiatives. “There is no wrongdoing in carrying out this work. We are entitled to decentralized budget benefits, and contacting the party hierarchy was unnecessary,” the MP remarked.
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