Unique Compelling Description: Public property becomes a crime only when misused for selfish or political ends, not when serving a humane and reasonable purpose, says NPP MP Lakmali Hemachandra.
National People’s Power MP Lakmali Hemachandra clarified that accusations of misusing public property depend on the intention behind its use and whether the extent of that use is justifiable.
Speaking during a televised political discussion, she addressed opposition criticism that President Anura Dissanayake’s visit to see his mother amounted to a misuse of public resources. She explained that such allegations should be assessed on the purpose of use and whether the scale of resources deployed was appropriate.
Lakmali further pointed out that misuse of public property becomes a crime only when it serves harmful, selfish, or politically motivated goals. In contrast, a personal visit of reasonable scale, such as the President seeing his mother, does not fall under that category.
Her remarks highlighted the distinction between accountability and political point-scoring, stressing that scrutiny of public property should remain tied to context, necessity, and proportionality rather than blanket accusations.
