Weeratunga was also sentenced to a prison term for using Rs. 600 million of TRC money for Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidential election campaign.
Gunawardena wants the public to make donations, saying Weeratunga had no such money to pay the fine. A discussion in this regard took place at Sunetradevi Pirivena at Pepiliyana last night (08).
He says a programme led by monks and Buddhists would be implemented.
It is commendable that the JO speaks on behalf of Weeratunga, because Weeratunga and Anusha Pelpita were found guilty of distributing Sil Clothing to promote Rajapaksa, but those who aided and abetted it are in the JO today. They have a responsibility to pay his fine.
Rs. 50 million is a trifle for them, who had pocketed billions by way of various fraud and corruption during the previous regime, but, without spending that money, they are trying to burden the public with that fine. For that, a group of monks who tolerate all the frauds and corruption of Rajapaksa and his cronies are getting involved.
Also, it is trying to portray this as a punishment over a religious activity. The Sil Clothing was distributed with days to go for the presidential polls, along with a campaign leaflet of Rajapaksa. Some of the clothing was seized by the police as it was a campaign act using public money. It would have been OK had the money had come from the Medamulana dowry. Even that was illegal as an election was called. Therefore, Buddhists or monks should not get excited over this very clear illegal act by Lalith and Anusha.
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