Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not been included under the Sri Lankan government’s latest move to levy charges on Prime Minister (PM), Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP) and a host of other dignitaries for using their official vehicles for election campaign.

 

According to an official release issued on Thursday, the Cabinet, at its meeting on Wednesday, decided to levy the fee of Rs. 1,00,000 per month for each official vehicle used by the PM, Speaker of Parliament, LOP, Chief Ministers of Provinces, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ministers/State Ministers/Deputy Ministers in the Central government and others for the poll campaign.

 

Besides, the dignitaries should bear the cost of fuel should be borne by the dignitaries. As for the use of aircraft or helicopters, they should meet the entire cost.

 

Asked by The Hindu on the applicability of the decision to the former President, Rajitha Senaratne, Cabinet spokesperson, replied that the decision did not cover Rajapaksa. So, he could not be charged until the decision was amended by the government.

 

Privileges

 

On the question of Rajapaksa standing to lose privileges being enjoyed by him as former President on entering the electoral fray or becoming Member of Parliament, there appears to be definitive answer on the legal position. The issue assumes relevance in the light of the demand by the United National Party (UNP) that the present privileges of Rajapaksa be withdrawan.

 

An official, familiar with parliamentary practices, conventions and rules, says the mere reading of relevant provisions of the law would not provide any clue as such a situation has not been visualised. The issue raises two questions: (1) Would one lose automatically those privileges that he or she had been enjoying under one capacity immediately on holding the other position? (2) Can a person enjoy privileges under two positions ? It is for legal and constitutional experts to analyse the issue in detail, the official adds. An official in the Elections Department says the entire matter is for the Parliament to decide.

 

Meanwhile, around 100 observers from foreign countries including those from the European Union and the Commonwealth are expected to be in Sri Lanka shortly, says the official. Representatives of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) will also visit the country on the invitation of the Elections Department.

(The Hindu)