Right to Information disclosures lay bare over Rs. 11 million in state spending for a single presidential program in Jaffna, reigniting debate over public funds, transparency, and political accountability in Sri Lanka.
Despite projecting an image of simplicity and fiscal discipline, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake now faces uncomfortable questions after fresh RTI disclosures revealed the full cost of a high profile public event in Jaffna. Tamil media reports confirm that Rs. 1 Crore 10 Lakhs 79 Thousand 75 Rupees and 50 Cents was spent on a single government program, sparking debate over state expenditure, accountability, and media silence.
The event was held the day after Thai Pongal at the Kokkuvil Technical College grounds as part of the government’s northern outreach initiative. According to figures released by the Jaffna District Secretariat under the Right to Information Act, a substantial portion of the allocation went toward ensuring a strong public turnout, with Rs. 25 Lakhs 66 Thousand 885 Rupees spent purely on transportation.
The RTI breakdown details how public funds were distributed:
• Pavilion and Stage Setup: Rs. 52 Lakhs 37 Thousand Rupees allocated for constructing the main stage and infrastructure.
• Food and Refreshments: Rs. 31 Lakhs 13 Thousand Rupees spent on catering for participants.
• Sri Lanka Transport Board Buses: Rs. 23 Lakhs 43 Thousand Rupees paid to hire 75 buses.
• Promotional and Support Costs: Rs. 51 Thousand 700 Rupees for banners, Rs. 23 Thousand 375 Rupees for reception, Rs. 36 Thousand Rupees for water and sanitation, Rs. 1 Lakh 18 Thousand Rupees for ground preparation, and Rs. 1 Lakh 54 Thousand Rupees categorized as miscellaneous expenses.
The program was organized jointly by the Jaffna District Secretariat and the Ministry of Defence under the national drug eradication campaign titled The Whole Country Together. On the same visit, the President also attended engagements in Mannar and Manippai. A separate January 16 program in Meesalai similarly incurred transport costs of Rs. 2 Lakhs 23 Thousand Rupees.
