Mar 07, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has spent nearly 10 billion rupees to conduct 16 elections since 2005, a government minister revealed.

Chief Government Whip, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told parliament that the government has spent Rs. 9.917 billion for two Presidential elections, six Provincial Council elections and seven local government elections between 2005 and 2013.

He made this statement in response to a question posed by the opposition United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayaka.

The Minister added that the North-Central, Eastern and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council elections last year had cost Rs 672.75 million to the government.

The Elections Commissioner has suggested the government to introduce an electronic voting system since a large sum of money and human resources had to be invested under the current voting system.

Minister Gunawardena said the electronic voting system would be introduced as soon as relevant legal documents are drafted.