15 December 2020 06:12 pm
A five-member committee has been appointed to look into the alleged irregularities took place at the Department of Samurdhi Development while awarding entitlements to new Samurdhi beneficiaries during the Good Governance period.
The committee has been appointed at the instructions of State Minister of Samurdhi Shehan Semasinghe.
It consists of officials representing the State Ministry and the Samurdhi Development Department.
A total of 433,594 new beneficiaries were added in 2019 and the committee has been appointed following several complaints received regarding the expenditure incurred therein.
Accordingly, the committee will probe irregularities such as printing of 600,000 title deeds and files on behalf of the beneficiaries, printing of Minister's and Director General's messages at a cost of over Rs. 8 million, the printing of 400,000 posters, putting up temporary canopies to host events at a cost of Rs. 170 million and spending over Rs. 60 million to supply shirts.
The committee is mandated to submit its report on or before January 31 next year. (Sheain Fernandopulle)