Amidst criticisms of mismanagement and funding inequalities under past governments, the President’s Fund is making a transformative shift to a fully digital system. 

The President’s Fund has long been regarded as a crucial mechanism for providing financial relief to those in dire need, particularly in the areas of healthcare, education, and social welfare. 

The Board of Governors of the President’s Fund recently announced a spate of serious decisions which invited further scrutiny. It was announced that as of 7 February, the service would be available online via www.presidentsfund.gov.lk.

The meeting of the Board of Governors which convened on Tuesday (28 January) included Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, President’s Fund Secretary and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Prof. J.R.P. Jayakody, former Auditor General and MP Sarath Chandrasiri Mayadunne, and other senior officials of the President’s Fund.

Established under the President’s Fund Act No.7 of 1978, the fund is meant to serve as a financial safety net for individuals facing extraordinary hardships. Over the years, it has become synonymous with assisting those unable to afford urgent medical treatment, scholarships for higher education, and other forms of humanitarian aid.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, President’s Fund Secretary Gamage shed light on the significance of the initiative, emphasising the most imperative virtue of the fund, which is to expand the process of receiving applications from its centre in Colombo to all parts of Sri Lanka in an attempt to make the fund more accessible to the people. He further noted that as of 7 February, the digital platform of the President’s Fund would be launched.

“The President’s Fund is transitioning to a fully digital system, enabling streamlined service delivery. A dedicated online platform has been developed, allowing Divisional Secretaries to log in using unique credentials. Applicants visiting the site will provide basic details such as the nature of their illness, income level, and required assistance. Relevant documents must be uploaded to the system before submission,” he said.

“Regarding identification, a standard National Identity Card (NIC) is preferred. However, for vulnerable individuals without an NIC, alternative forms such as a senior citizen ID or tribal registration number can be used. In cases where the applicant is a minor, the guardian’s ID will be required,” he further added.

Digitisation and decentralisation

One of the key decisions taken at the meeting was in respect of decentralisation of the services provided by the President’s Fund. Since 1978, services have been provided solely through the Head Office, creating accessibility challenges for many applicants, particularly individuals with disabilities. 

This meant that applicants, regardless of which part of the country they resided in, had to visit the office based in Colombo to make appeals for assistance through the President’s Fund. However, the new decision to expand operations essentially means arriving in Colombo is no longer a condition – they can simply visit the Divisional Secretariat offices in their regions.

“After deliberation, the decision was made to leverage the existing Divisional Secretariat network instead of opening new regional offices. In fact, we are connecting 341 Divisional Secretariat offices to expand our network of front offices. 

“We began with five pilot projects based in the Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, and Central Provinces. Having witnessed their enormous success, we have decided to extend this service to the rest of Sri Lanka. This ensures equitable access without regional bias,” Gamage said.

He explained that each of the Divisional Secretaries had been provided training via online segments on the criteria for making applications to the President’s Fund, which include the type of illnesses that are eligible to apply for funding, funding capacities, and other factors. He further noted that the training segments would continue until Friday (31 January).

The move could potentially open the floodgates for appeals from the general public. However, Gamage expressed confidence that the specific criteria had been well researched and that the applications would be manageable through the expansion programme.

Medical funding

One of the primary areas where the President’s Fund plays a vital role is in providing financial aid for medical treatment, particularly for surgeries, dialysis, and cancer care. 

In Sri Lanka’s strained public healthcare system, where waiting lists can stretch indefinitely and private healthcare remains prohibitively expensive, this support can be the difference between life and death.

Gamage noted that persons with qualified medical illnesses may receive sums ranging from Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1 million, emphasising that applicants may apply for funding for their treatment only in registered medical facilities. 

“This does not mean they must seek treatment in Government hospitals. Private hospitals are also registered and may be eligible to provide treatment. In some instances, people apply for treatment in hospitals abroad since we may not have the recommended treatment in Sri Lanka. In those instances, based on the recommendation of the doctor, we will allocate the necessary funds to assist in seeking treatment overseas,” he said.

According to Gamage, the fund has facilitated assistance for thousands of patients every year. “We allocate a significant portion of our resources to medical aid. This includes funding for heart surgeries, kidney transplants, and cancer treatments, procedures that many low-income Sri Lankans simply cannot afford,” he explained.

However, despite its importance, criticisms have been mounting regarding delays in processing applications and the perceived bureaucracy involved in accessing these funds. In the past, patients and their families have complained of long waiting times and a lack of transparency regarding approvals. Addressing this, Gamage remarked that applications were assessed based on predefined regulations and eligibility criteria approved by the governing body.

“While the fund cannot accommodate all medical conditions, priority is given to critical illnesses. The system is designed to adapt to emerging medical needs, ensuring flexibility. We have categorised applications based on two different criteria. 

“One is pre-treatment assistance, where applications are processed before the medical procedure, with evaluations based on established guidelines. The second is post-treatment assistance, where applications for reimbursement undergo a similar assessment, ensuring fairness and compliance with regulations. We accept applications for reimbursement within 60 days post-operation,” Gamage said.

He further explained that once the applications had been received, the President’s Fund assessed the information to check for accuracy and satisfaction of the criteria. 

“We assess the income level, medical condition, their identification documents, and if the application is for pre-treatment or post-treatment assistance. We also consider the recommendation of Divisional Secretaries. If all documents are in order, we will be able to process the application within a week of making the application,” he said.

When asked if all those who applied with the right documents received funding, Gamage responded in affirmation. 

“Yes, if the illness or medical condition aligns with the criteria, then we will allocate the necessary funds. Our financial capacity at the moment is fairly strong and we have a sense of spirituality about doing something good for people in need. 

“In most instances, if an application is not accepted, it is because they have not satisfied the criteria for eligibility. For example, the illness may be within our purview, but the income level might be high,” he said.

Gamage expressed confidence that the problem of the backlog could be mitigated through improved processes.

Educational support: Enabling the future

Beyond medical aid, the President’s Fund also provides scholarships and financial assistance for students from underprivileged backgrounds. 

Sri Lanka’s higher education sector remains highly competitive and many students struggle to cover tuition fees and associated costs. The fund’s interventions have helped students complete their studies and secure brighter futures.

Gamage highlighted the role of the fund in education: “Every year, we provide scholarships to students excelling in their studies but facing financial hardships. We recognise that education is a powerful tool for social mobility and our goal is to ensure that no child is left behind due to economic constraints. 

“The Board approved one-time scholarships for students achieving top grades in GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations. The programme will be implemented in coordination with the Department of Examinations and the Ministry of Education.”  

He explained that the President’s Fund worked with the line ministries to gather data on the most suitable students who would be eligible for assistance. “We work with the Ministry of Education, and through the ministry we also get in touch with provincial education authorities. 

“Earlier, assessing the data of the Department of Examinations, we requested for the top 100 students. Then we segregated them based on the provincial lists. Similarly, we plan to implement such incentive-based mechanisms to ensure that students will be inspired to achieve good results and are duly rewarded for their efforts,” he said.

“This time, we aim to provide 10 scholarships for each educational stream for each district in Sri Lanka. For example, in the technology stream, the 10 best students in each district will receive a scholarship.”

Prevention of exploitation

Commenting on allegations made of prior instances where the President’s Fund had been abused by previous administrations, Gamage emphasised that the present Government had a strong focus on the removal of impunity and an understanding that the fund belonged to the people. 

“The Government is not above the law. In the past few months, there has not been a single incident recorded of political interference in the system or any systemic prejudices. We hope this will continue,” Gamage said.

Gamage remains optimistic about the fund’s future. “We understand the challenges and we are working tirelessly to make the fund more efficient and accountable. At the end of the day, our goal is simple – to help those who need it the most.”

For many Sri Lankans, the President’s Fund represents hope. The fulfilment of this hope is at hand for people in dire need of it since, on 7 February, they may apply for the fund from their respective Divisional Secretariat offices. Although it remains to be seen how the programme unravels, the effort towards achieving this goal is a step in the right direction.