President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says his recent remarks regarding the allocation of funds for Local Councils have been misinterpreted by the opposition.
Speaking at a political rally, President Dissanayake addressed claims that he had stated funds would not be allocated to Local Councils not won by the National People’s Power (NPP).
Clarifying his position, the President said he merely stated that funds carefully collected by the Central Government would not be allocated to corrupt Local Councils — not that only NPP-controlled councils would receive them.
“Through daily meetings with the Inland Revenue Department and close monitoring of the Customs Department, we have collected money now held by the Treasury. That carefully collected money cannot be handed over to corrupt local councils. If a group within the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council is corrupt, why should we handover these funds to them ?” he asked.
The President emphasized that just as the Central Government refrains from misusing public funds, Local Councils must also act responsibly.
“What happens when the Central Government doesn’t steal, but the Local Councils continue to do so? While the Central Government avoids waste, the Pradeshiya Sabhas squander money. The Central Government performs its duties, but the Local Councils betray the people. Why should we knowingly hand over the people’s money to such entities?” he questioned.
President Dissanayake reiterated that his statement clearly conveyed that funds carefully collected by the Central Government — the people’s money — would not be handed over to Pradeshiya Sabhas or Urban Councils to be misused. (Newswire)