Cabinet Media Spokesperson, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana yesterday assured that he didn’t use State funds for his recent trip to Russia. Responding to a question by a journalist at the weekly Cabinet Media Briefing held at the Government Information Department, Minister Dr. Gunawardana said that he participated at an event to receive the international award for his recently produced film ‘The News paper’ at his own expense.
The Minister further said that since this trip is a very private trip, no Government funds were used for it and he maintains that he is very transparent about the money he spends even during official trips, and as a Minister, he never uses his privileges for personal affairs.
He said that the film received a cash prize of USD 3,000 of which USD 1,500 was divided between the two directors.The Minister said that he will inform the Speaker about the recent discussion in Parliament on his film.
He further said that the incidences of breaching of Parliamentary Privileges and abuses in Parliament have increased these days. The Minister said that it is not fair to confuse personal matters with politics and different people have different roles, and such behaviour can be harmful to hem.
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