Mano Ganesan MP urges probe into alleged misuse of Provincial Council election funds

COLOMBO: Opposition MP Mano Ganesan has called on the Committee on Public Finance to investigate claims that funds allocated for Provincial Council Elections were redirected by the government for disaster-rebuilding purposes without parliamentary approval.

In a letter dated June 1, 2026, addressed to Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva, MP, Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, Ganesan highlighted a statement reportedly made by Mr. Tilvin de Silva, General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and a key figure in the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) Government.

Ganesan wrote: “According to media reports, Mr. de Silva stated, in substance, that funds allocated and set aside for the conduct of Provincial Council Elections had been utilized by the Government for disaster-rebuilding and related purposes.”

The MP stressed that, to the best of his knowledge, Parliament had not approved any transfer or reallocation of those funds.

“If the statement attributed to Mr. de Silva is accurate, it may indicate that such funds have been utilized without the requisite parliamentary authorization,” he stated.

Ganesan requested that the Committee inquire into the matter and “ascertain whether any transfer, reallocation, or expenditure of funds allocated for Provincial Council Elections has occurred in a manner inconsistent with parliamentary approval and financial regulations.”

He added that the Committee should “examine the facts and take any action deemed appropriate within its mandate.”

The letter was sent through the Secretary-General of Parliament.