The Government has decided to halt the distribution of the Rs 5000 allowance for low income and vulnerable groups for the month of June.
Cabinet co-spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said that the payment of the allowance suspended as the National Elections Commission had raised some concerns.
He said that the Commission had informed the Government it received complaints from some political parties over the payment of the Rs. 5000 allowance at a time an election has been declared.
As such the government had decided to cease the distribution of the Rs 5000 voucher, Minister Gunawaradana said.
Chairman of the elections commission, Mahinda Deshapriya, in a letter dated 17 May informed the Secretary to the President, Dr P B Jayasundara, that he has received complaints over of Rs 5000 distribution program.
In the letter the Chairman of the Elections Commission called on the Government to ensure that it was not politicized henceforth and to forbid provincial and local government council members from distributing the vouchers.
