Sri Lanka Marxists question the ethics of raising money from soldiers to felicitate themselves

(September 26, Colombo - Lanka Polity) Sri Lanka oppsition People's Liberation Front (JVP) parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Disanayaka says that the Army has deduced Rs. 1800 (around US $ 16) each per a personnel from their salaries for the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Army.The MP queried the meaning of felicitating the soldiers with their own money.
The MP further pointed out to the parliament yesterday (25) that no house has been granted to war heroes (fallen soldiers) from the 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing fund that raised massive funds from public. Some Rs. 45.6 million (US $ 400,000) collected from the employees of the state-owned Transport Board has not still been transferred into the accounts of the aforesaid fund. 

Army has organized a massive celebration to mark its birthday that falls immediately after the war victory against the Tamil rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE). They include Army Exhibition at BMICH (Oct 3-7) and the Army Tattoo (Oct 17-23) at Kettarama Stadium.

The Army Exhibition beginning at 10.00 a.m. (except on the opening day) is open till 10.00 p.m. on all seven days and expects a crowd of about 100,000 spectators every day. The Army Tattoo at Kettarama Stadium beginning on 17th October is expected to attract at least 20,000 visitors each day, depending on the number of seats available at the venue. The Tattoo will remain open between 5.30-10.00 p.m. on all seven days until the final day, 23rd October.