The President’s Fund, originally intended to support Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable through medical assistance and poverty relief, is now at the center of a political storm. Despite being notoriously difficult for ordinary citizens to access, with applicants often facing rejection, a startling revelation has emerged in Parliament. Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa exposed a history of political figures receiving millions from the Fund, while the poor were denied aid.
Among those named were former ministers and MPs who, under previous governments, secured substantial financial support, ranging from Rs. 860,000 to Rs. 30 million. This revelation raises critical questions about the misuse of the Fund, established by the 1978 Act, and governed by a board that includes the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, and Leader of the Opposition. With the Opposition Leader also implicated in turning a blind eye to such irregularities, this issue reflects systemic failures at the highest levels of governance.
The public outrage is palpable. Ordinary citizens, who was denied aid, are demanding accountability. While they face financial barriers for life-saving treatments, political allies appear to have enjoyed unrestricted access to public funds. With accusations mounting on social media and growing calls for a formal investigation, the President’s Fund has become a symbol of the widening divide between Sri Lanka’s political elite and the struggling masses.
The President’s Fund of Sri Lanka, originally established by the President’s Fund Act No. 7 of 1978, is meant to provide financial assistance to the underprivileged. However, revelations in Parliament have raised serious concerns about the misuse of this fund by politicians and high-ranking officials. While the fund’s primary objectives include the relief of poverty and provision of medical assistance to the less fortunate, it has been reported that millions of rupees were funneled to former ministers and MPs, sparking public outrage.
The Origins and Purpose of the President’s Fund
The President’s Fund was created in 1978 with an initial capital of Rs. 237,120, contributed by donors to assist poor Sri Lankans with financial support. According to the Act, the fund’s objectives are clear: to provide relief to the poor, promote education, advance religion, and reward those who have served the nation. One of its key activities includes providing medical assistance to individuals who cannot afford necessary treatments, making it a lifeline for those who cannot meet the high costs of healthcare.
Over the years, the fund has garnered income primarily through the Development Lotteries Board and public donations. Its management is vested in a Board of Governors, including the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition, the Secretary to the President, and two other appointed members. Given this structure, the assumption is that the fund should be responsibly and transparently managed to benefit the public. However, the recent revelations suggest otherwise.
The Allegations of Misuse
In his parliamentary speech, Dr. Jayathissa provided an alarming list of former ministers and MPs who have received large sums from the President’s Fund. Notable recipients include:
- Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, who received Rs. 11 million.
- Rajitha Senaratne, who was allocated Rs. 10 million.
- Former Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, who received Rs. 30 million.
- Ranjith Soysa, a former MP, received Rs. 18 million.
- Speaker Joseph Michael Perera was granted Rs. 2.7 million.
In total, millions of rupees have been funneled to political figures who, in many cases, had access to other financial resources, unlike the impoverished citizens the fund is supposed to help. The issue goes beyond a few isolated cases. Dr. Jayathissa highlighted that the practice of granting large sums to political figures spans multiple administrations, including those led by former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Ranil Wickremesinghe.
What is particularly striking is that, while it is extremely difficult for ordinary citizens to secure even Rs. 200,000 from the fund, politicians and other high-ranking individuals have been able to access millions for their personal medical treatments. The list includes ministers, MPs, and even legal advisors to the President, raising questions about the transparency and fairness of the fund’s distribution process.
The Role of the Board of Governors
A key issue raised by Dr. Jayathissa is the role of the Board of Governors in overseeing the fund’s management. According to Section 3 of the President’s Fund Act, the Board is responsible for the administration and control of the fund. The Board includes prominent figures such as the President, the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition. This means that, at any given time, the opposition is also responsible for ensuring that the fund is used appropriately.
However, the fact that large sums were disbursed to politicians during the tenures of various opposition leaders suggests a failure in oversight. Dr. Jayathissa specifically pointed out that Sajith Premadasa, the current Leader of the Opposition, was serving in the same position when some of these funds were misused. His involvement in the Board raises questions about his role in preventing or addressing these discrepancies.
It is clear that the Board of Governors has failed in its duty to ensure that the President’s Fund is used in line with its intended purpose. The systemic nature of the issue, which spans multiple administrations, suggests that this is not a case of individual misconduct but a broader problem of governance and accountability.
A Closer Look at the Recipients
Among the list of politicians who received large sums from the fund, some have attempted to defend their actions. Former MP Manoj Sirisena, who was named in Dr. Jayathissa’s speech, issued a statement clarifying his position. Sirisena was seriously injured in a suicide bomb attack in 2009, and he claims to have spent Rs. 4.5 million from his personal wealth on medical treatments. While the fund allocated Rs. 300,000 for him in 2011, Sirisena insists that he never received the money and only learned about the allocation after Dr. Jayathissa’s disclosure.
In his statement, Sirisena called for Minister Jayathissa to correct the parliamentary record and remove his name from the list of recipients. He argued that misusing national wealth is a serious offense and expressed concern about the damage done to his reputation. However, this case highlights a broader issue: the lack of transparency and accountability in how the fund is managed. If even those named in the list of recipients were unaware that they had been allocated funds, it raises questions about the integrity of the process.
Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability
The revelations have sparked widespread outrage on social media and among the public. Citizens have expressed frustration over the fact that politicians, many of whom are wealthy, were able to access the fund while ordinary people struggle to get even a fraction of the money they need for life-saving treatments.
One resident of Devnuwara, who applied for assistance from the President’s Fund earlier this year, shared his experience: “I applied to the fund in January but was told that they could not provide me with any money. I applied because I couldn’t afford the treatment on my own, but the fund responded that they receive too many applications and that financial assistance is limited.”
This sentiment is echoed by many others who have applied for assistance from the fund, only to be turned down. The perception that the fund is being used to benefit political allies rather than the needy has fueled calls for a thorough investigation into its management. Many are demanding a formal inquiry into how the funds have been distributed and whether political favoritism played a role in the decision-making process.
Financial Transparency and the President’s Fund Website
A review of the official website of the President’s Fund reveals some information about its financial activities, though it is not as comprehensive or up-to-date as one might expect. The most recent financial data available is from 2022, which shows that Rs. 2,688.48 million was spent that year. Of this, Rs. 1,341.99 million was spent on medical treatments, which aligns with the fund’s stated purpose.
However, the absence of more recent data raises concerns about the transparency of the fund’s operations. The website does not provide detailed information about individual recipients of financial assistance, making it difficult for the public to verify whether the funds are being distributed fairly. This lack of transparency only deepens public suspicion about the misuse of the fund.
Are They Being Followed?
According to the terms and conditions of the President’s Fund, only Sri Lankan citizens who meet specific criteria are eligible to apply for financial assistance. These criteria include having a family income of less than Rs. 200,000 per month, not being an income tax payer, and not receiving more than 50% of the treatment costs from other sources. Additionally, applicants must submit their requests within 60 days of being discharged from the hospital.
These strict conditions suggest that the fund is meant to provide assistance only to those who are genuinely in need. However, the fact that politicians have been able to access large sums despite having significant personal wealth raises questions about whether these conditions are being enforced.
The Need for Reform and Accountability
The revelations about the misuse of the President’s Fund highlight a serious problem in the way the fund is managed. What was intended to be a lifeline for the poor and underprivileged has, in many cases, been used to benefit politicians and other high-ranking individuals. This is not only a betrayal of the fund’s purpose but also a violation of public trust.
Moving forward, it is crucial that the government take immediate steps to address these issues. This includes launching a formal investigation into the distribution of funds, holding those responsible for any wrongdoing accountable, and implementing reforms to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the fund’s management.
The President’s Fund was established to serve the most vulnerable members of society. It is time to return it to its original purpose and ensure that it provides relief to those who need it most.
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