Opposition cries foul over betel leaf stamp

by Norman Palihawadana

Opposition parliamentarians yesterday alleged that the issuance of a five-rupee stamp by the Postal Department depicting a betel leaf amounted to a violation of election laws.

UNP MP John Amaratunge said that the new stamp was against the election laws, while JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath said that during the last Presidential election a stamp depicting the portrait of President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been issued.

Postal Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga said that the stamp was not issued expressly for the purpose of elections and it was only a coincidence.

Kumaratunga added that the issue of the stamp dismissed allegation. He said the issuance of the stamp had not been timed for any election.

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