Sinha Mela 2018 organized by the Sinha regiment of the Sri Lanka Army is set to be funded by salaries of soldiers belonging to the regiment sources say. The move has left the soldiers irked as it has been decided by the top brass of the regiment that Rs. 7500 will be levied from their salaries in order to fund the event. According to inside sources, the amount will be levied in exchange for free tickets to the event.
However many soldiers have been left upset at the significant amount set to be cut from their monthly wages with soldiers from every battalion expected to make the compulsory contribution. According to one officer of the regiment Rs. 5000 was levied from their salaries for a previous Sinha Mela event and they were promised that facilities at the regiment will be improved. “However this was not done,” he said adding that he was unsure as to what the funds from the event was utilized for.
The regiment is currently being headed by Major General Piyal Wickramaratne.
However, when questioned regarding the matter at the cabinet briefing this week Military spokesman Brigadier Sumith Atapattu said it is not compulsory for a soldier to make a contribution.
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