NLB Chief Canvassing For President

By Nirmala Kannangara

Additional General Manager, National Lotteries Board (NLB), Ashok Vitharana has been accused of carrying out election canvassing in favour of President Mahinda Rajapaksa within the institution, NLB sources said.

According to NLB sources Vitharana’s only duty over the past few weeks has been to campaign for President Rajapaksa within the NLB showing no respect for election guidelines.

“Together with the Development Lotteries Board (DLB) Vitharana organised a meeting for the lottery dealers at Temple Trees on December 20 but on a directive of the Elections Commissioner the meeting was cancelled. However he organised another meeting for the lottery dealers on January 14 at Temple Trees and the lottery dealers presence at the meeting was made compulsory,” sources claimed.

Meanwhile when contacted, the All Island Lottery Dealers Association (AILDA) told The Sunday Leader that it was made compulsory for them to attend the Temple Trees meeting on January 14 and they were also requested to bring with them a large number of people to participate at the meeting.

“All were provided free transportation in CTB buses and were given free bottles of water, lunch, a soft drink and dinner out of NLB and DLB funds. More than 30 CTB buses carried the participants from all over the country,” AILDA sources said.
Ashok Vitharana was not available for comment.