World Bank funds misused, given to ex-ministers’ relatives : Minister

Funds received from the World Bank had been disbursed to former Minister Daya Gamage’s wife, former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, former Minister Lakshman Seneviratne’s son and former Minister Mahinda Amaraweera’s brother

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Funds provided by the World Bank for entrepreneur development have been misused and given to relatives of former Ministers, Minister Samantha Vidyaratne told Parliament yesterday .   

The Minister said funds received from the World Bank had been disbursed to former Minister Daya Gamage’s wife, former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, former Minister Lakshman Seneviratne’s son and former Minister Mahinda Amaraweera’s brother.   

“The WB has expressed its concern over this development and had wanted us to settle the amount. However, we will file legal action against these persons who have received these WB funds and had never begun any projects,” the Minister said  

“ Sri Lanka has earned a black mark by the misuse of these funds” he added.   

He also said there is a conspiracy to sabotage the implementation of the budget proposal to increase wages for estate workers. “ Some opposition MPs including Mano Ganesan have questioned as to how the government could disburse state funds to private companies. We have also heard that there is a move to file legal action against the increasing of estate worker wages.   

MP Ganesan who responded said the move to increase wages for estate workers is welcomed. “ Go ahead and do it no one is going to stop you “ he said.