The existing election laws in Sri Lanka favours candidates with huge financial resources, says the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) which deployed a team of election observers from countries across Asia to observe the August 17 Parliamentary Elections in Sri Lanka. 

The monitoring mission added that, as mentioned by the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), campaign finance is one of the means of leveling the playing field.

ANFREL added that when it interviewed several top executives in Sri Lanka’s finance industry, one had pointed out that according to his observations during the run-up to the 17 August General Elections in Sri Lanka, in less than 30 minutes Rs. 150 million was spent by less than 10 candidates on their political advertisements.

A Member of Parliament receives some Rs. 89,000 a month. If this is multiplied by 60 – the months for the five-year term, then he receives Rs. 5.3 million for his five-year period. Hence, a Parliamentarian running for office will spend millions of rupees in canvassing and propaganda campaigns.

Hence, there should be a limit on these expenditures and a definition on the lawful contributions to a particular party or candidate and also accurate reporting and auditing of the expenditure by a candidate or party as well as a listing or reporting of their donations.