The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to halt payment of Rs. 5,000 allowance to the families adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, for the month of June.
The move comes after a letter was directed to the Presidential Secretary P.B. Jayasundera by the Election Commission’s chairman Mahinda Deshapriya on May 17, requesting the reconsideration of the payment of the allowance for next month.
The Election Commission, in its letter, had noted that the payment of allowance could turn into an election campaign ploy during next month ahead of the upcoming General Election which is scheduled for June 20.
The letter further stated that many complaints were received claiming that the Rs. 5,000 allowance payment is being used as a promotion of the political parties affiliated to the government.
Accordingly, the Election Commission has sought the Presidential Secretariat to remove local politicians from the allowance distribution activities.
The Election Commission’s letter has been discussed at length during the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on Wednesday (20).
