Wijeyadasa Demands Stricter Laws

Election Promises or Bribes? Wijeyadasa Demands Stricter Laws

by Staff Writer 05-09-2024 | 10:52 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, PC the Presidential candidate from the National Democratic Front, has voiced serious concerns regarding the financial transparency and ethical conduct of some election candidates. 

Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe highlighted the significant discrepancies between the reported monthly incomes and the substantial assets accumulated by certain candidates, which have now become a matter of public record.

He pointed out that some candidates, who reportedly earn between Rs. 200,000/- to Rs. 400,000/- per month, have seen their assets grow by million. This discrepancy has led to formal complaints being lodged with the Bribery Commission. He suggested that ongoing investigations might result in some nominees facing legal consequences, including imprisonment.

At the same time, he also slammed the introduction of 'dummy candidates for the election.

He also criticized the practice of offering food items such as biryani or rice during the election period, stating that such acts are considered bribes under the law. Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe further condemned the promises made by some candidates to provide substantial financial incentives to government employees and pensioners, labeling these promises as bribes. He noted that in countries like India, such promises would lead to the cancellation of a candidate's nomination by the election commission.

Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe emphasized the need for stricter laws to address these issues and warned that regardless of the election outcome, the presidency of any candidate who wins through such questionable means could be challenged and potentially nullified within a few months.