• Fund Secy. tasked with vetting applications’ compliance with Fund’s objectives    

Following revelations made regarding overwhelmingly political beneficiaries of the President’s Fund and the massive sums that they have received, the Presidential Secretariat informed that there is no mechanism or process at present to ascertain or monitor whether the funds provided to eligible applicants have been utilised for the stated and intended purpose.   

This was communicated yesterday (18) by the Presidential Secretariat Director General (Legal), attorney J.M. Wijebandara, in response to a query made by The Daily Morning about whether there is a mechanism or process to review how the funds granted by the President's Fund are used by the recipients. "Currently, there is no such process.” t is us (the National People's Power [NPP] Government) who should establish such (a mechanism or process to review whether the funds have been spent in compliance with the purpose presented to the Fund),"added Wijebandara.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Daily Morning, a Member of the Fund's Board of Governors, Ven. Prof. Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera stated that the responsibility for reviewing and approving the applications received by the Fund, and checking whether those applications are compliant with the Fund's objectives, lies with the Fund's administrative staff, including the Secretary to the Fund. "It is not the Board of Governors that approves and reviews the process. It is done by the officials of that institution. There is a Secretary for this Fund. The Board of Governors makes decisions. We decide on what purposes we should allocate funds for," he stated.  

Meanwhile, attempts to contact the Cabinet Spokesperson and Chief Government Whip Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa proved futile.  

The issue sparked controversy when Dr. Jayatissa revealed in the Parliament on Tuesday (17) that 34 former Prime Ministers, Ministers, Parliamentarians, and politically affiliated persons including political advisors had received significant financial aid from the President’s Fund. He claimed that these funds, intended to help the poor and the underprivileged, were instead disproportionately used by politicians. According to Dr. Jayatissa, former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella received Rs. 11 million, former Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne was granted Rs. 10 million, late Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne was allocated Rs. 30 million and former MP Ranjith De Zoysa was given Rs. 18 million.  

Against this backdrop, many parties raised concerns about such large amounts of funds being allocated to politicians, which seemingly does not comply with the Fund’s objectives. As per the President's Fund Act, No. 07 of 1978, the funds should be applied for the relief of poverty, the advancement of education or knowledge, the advancement of religion or the maintenance of religious rites, to be given to those who have rendered a national service, or for purposes which, in the opinion of the President and the Board, are of benefit or interest to the public.   

According to the website of the President's Fund, the funds are allocated for activities such as medical assistance for various diseases, poverty relief programmes, the Mahapola Scholarship Programme, scholarships for children who have passed the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level and Ordinary Level Examinations, grants for religious reformation and construction related work, support for religious processions and other annually organised activities, and accounts maintained in State banks and the Public Trustee Department in the name of the President's Fund for the benefit of individuals. Additionally, benefits are granted at the discretion of the President and the Board.  

As per the Act, the Board of Governors comprises the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Opposition Leader, the Secretary to the President, and two other members appointed by the President in accordance with the subsections of the statute.