Previous govt. used state funds for election campaigning - state minister

COLOMBO (News1st): A state finance minister has accused the previous government of using state funds worth at least Rs 280 million for campaigning during the 2019 presidential election. "Rs 180 million belonging to the Social Security board and Rs 100 million of bank funds had been used to print t-shirts, and organize ceremonies," Shehan Semasinghe told parliament on Thursday. He also accused the previous administration of increasing the Samurdhi allowance for low-income earning families by targeting the 2019 presidential poll. "An audit is being carried out in this regard. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption is also probing this," Semasinghe said.