Finance Ministry is ready to fund increasing presidential candidates – State Minister

Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the increase in the number of candidates for the Presidential election is not a problem for finance allocations.

He said the Finance Ministry is prepared to allocate funds based on the estimates presented. Addressing a programme in Yatiyantota  State Minister said the expenditure estimate for the Presidential election has not yet exceeded the Rs. 10 billion limit.

He added that if the number of candidates becomes too large for the ballot paper, an extension may be needed.

This could lead to an increase in the number of ballot boxes and an additional cost of about Rs. 100 million per candidate. However, preparations are being made to fund the submitted estimates,” the Minister said.