Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said under article 150(3) of the constitution is vested with the power to allocate funds from the Consolidated Fund to maintain government services after the dissolution of parliament.

The Prime Minister issued a statement today to respond to claims by UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to the effect that the President did not have constitutional funds to allocate funds for measures against COVID-19 after April.

The statement added, “The funds to maintain essential services in the fight against COVID-19 was allocated only due to the power over government finances, the President assumes under Article 150(3), adding the postponement of the date of elections does not change the financial powers vested in the President under Article 150(3) of the constitution,” Prime Minister said.

Leader of the United National Party, Ranil Wickremesinghe on the 20th of March, when the island-wide curfew was declared in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19, issued a media release, stating that the previous government led by him had NOT passed a Budget for 2020 but only passed a “Vote on Account”, which would last till the 30th of April."

The Prime Minister's statement also criticised SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa for creating panic and unrest among Sri Lankan expatriates returning to the country over the quarantine process.