At least Rs.260 million is to be spent to publish birthday greetings in all print media, as President Mahinda Rajapaksa celebrates his birthday on Nov. 18th, 'Lanka Truth' website reports.
Nearly Rs.50 million would be paid to Lake House newspapers which would be the highest payment made for a single institute, it adds.
Plans have been made to publish the greetings in special supplements of the newspapers of all three languages.
'Lanka Truth' also reports that the greetings ‘campaign’ is to be carried out involving all sections of the government including ministries, departments, corporations, boards, authorities, provincial and local government councils.
"The campaign is to be carried out targeting the presidential election. According to reports the presidential election is to be announced on 20th November or thereabout and the ‘birthday campaign’ project is to be carried out before that to boost Rajapaksa image," the website further reports.