Culture · 2 min read · Published 31 Oct 2026 · · Updated 2 Nov 2026 ·
Padarath Says Government MPs Funded Red House Divali Event
Updated · 2 Nov 2026 ·
Barry Padarath says Government MPs personally funded the Red House Divali event and that Parliament bore no cost, according to a new Express report. He describes a Government events committee consulting parliamentary officers; no spending records accompany that account.
By the Luk It Hyah newsdesk · Sources · Reporting disclaimer
The Short
Barry Padarath says Government MPs personally paid for Friday’s Red House Divali observance, according to the Express. His response identifies an asserted funding source after earlier differing accounts of its organisation; the report supplies no spending records.
Related public figures: Kamla Persad-Bissessar · Barry Padarath
The Full Story
Deyas were lit outside the Red House during a Divali observance on Friday evening, according to TTT News. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar described it as the first such lighting at Parliament and connected the celebration with the place of different communities in national life.
Sources: TTT News, 30 Oct, 8:36 p.m. Trinidad time ↗
In her address, she recalled traditions maintained by families and urged representatives to listen to people whose needs reach Parliament. She linked the festival’s themes of knowledge and good conduct to the way public office should be exercised.
She also encouraged children to see Parliament as somewhere they could belong regardless of family wealth or connections, and said she hoped the lighting would continue. Her description of a first-ever ceremony is attributed to her; this summary does not independently establish the historical claim or a permanent annual programme.
Sources: TTT News, 30 Oct, 8:36 p.m. Trinidad time ↗
In a later report on Saturday, CNC3 said the House Speaker and deputy speaker had described the event as organised by Parliament staff. Parliament’s communications director instead said Parliament facilitated an outside event, following consultation with the presiding officers.
Sources: CNC3, 31 Oct, 9:41 p.m. Trinidad time ↗
CNC3 reports that the deputy speaker acknowledged helping with planning and coordination but did not have answers about funding. The communications director also said she could not identify the organiser or funder and that Parliament does not charge hosting fees. That Saturday account did not establish who paid for the event or a finding of improper expenditure.
Sources: CNC3, 31 Oct, 9:41 p.m. Trinidad time ↗
In a report published on Monday 2 November, the Express quotes Leader of Government Business Barry Padarath as saying Government MPs personally financed the event. He said they paid for decorations, refreshments, the Ramleela performance and the gift presented to the Opposition Leader, and that Parliament bore no cost.
Sources: Trinidad Express, 2 Nov, 9:59 a.m. Trinidad time ↗
Padarath said a Government events committee conceived the celebration, consulted the Speaker and deputy speaker, and then engaged Parliament through the Clerk’s office. He also denied that a puja was performed. This adds his account to the earlier organisational explanations; the Express report provides no spending records with which to independently establish who paid each expense.
Sources
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