Pavithra rejects RW’s remarks, says WHO released only USD 1.9 mn

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi yesterday rejected remarks made by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had released USD 230 million to Sri Lanka for COVID-19 operations. 

“Mr. Wickremesinghe said that I should reveal how these funds were utilised in COVID-19 operations. I have with me a report given by the WHO country representative which says the WHO has only released USD 1.9 million to Sri Lanka and that a sum of only USD 2.2 million expected to be released to Sri Lanka up to next year,” she said speaking to the media.   She said there is no truth in the reports of the country receiving USD 230 million when in fact it is only around USD 2 million that it had received from the WHO.