News Today: Presidential Fund Misuse Sparks Outrage

Parliament recently learned that numerous Ministers have acquired significant sums of money from the Presidential Fund, sparking widespread concern. Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa disclosed that the fund, originally intended to assist the poor and underprivileged, has been redirected to benefit prominent political figures.

Among the notable recipients, former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella received Rs. 11 million, while Rajitha Senaratne was granted Rs. 10 million. Additionally, Alek Aluvihare received Rs. 2.2 million, and his son, Ranjith Aluvihare, obtained Rs. 4.6 million. The largest amount, Rs. 30 million, was allocated to former Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne.

Other notable beneficiaries include former MP Rajith Soysa, who received Rs. 18 million, and former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera, who obtained Rs. 2.7 million. John Amaratunga was granted Rs. 4 million, while Wimalaweera Dissanayake and Vidura Wickramanayake were provided Rs. 3 million and Rs. 1.5 million, respectively.

The Minister further revealed that several other politicians, including Manoj Sirisena, Dayasiri Jayasekera, P. Harrison, P. Dayaratne, Isura Devapriya Perera, and Piyal Nishantha de Silva, had also benefited from the Presidential Fund.

This revelation has raised questions about the fund’s governance. The fund has been chaired by Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Ranil Wickremesinghe under the President’s Fund Act.