By Newswire Editorial
Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal’s remarks encouraging private companies to continue sending December gift parcels to municipal council employees and other public-sector workers have raised questions about the appropriateness of accepting gifts from private businesses.
Speaking at an event in Arangala, Malabe, on Sunday (8), Jayalal said some private companies had apparently stopped sending their customary year-end gifts following the change in administration.
He encouraged businesses to continue the practice, saying public-sector employees also enjoyed receiving food, drinks and other products.
“If you usually give some of your products to staff at public institutions and the municipal council in December, go ahead and give them. We enjoy good food and drink too,” he said.
The remarks have brought attention to the distinction between customary seasonal gifts and benefits that could create conflicts of interest for public officials.
Questions have also emerged over whether private companies providing gifts to municipal council employees could create concerns about favouritism, particularly when those businesses have dealings with public institutions.
However, there is no evidence in the reported remarks that Jayalal requested money or personal favours in exchange for official decisions.
Jayalal also spoke about the sacrifices made by himself and his political colleagues in their efforts to gain power, expressing hope that the current generation of mayors, ministers and MPs would be the last to experience such hardships.
The remarks were made during an event marking the commencement of work to stabilise the banks of the main canal in Arangala, Malabe, using gabion walls. (Newswire)