Complaint filed over misuse of President’s Fund during Sirisena’s term

Colombo, June 20 (Daily Mirror) - A complaint has been lodged with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) today (20), alleging the misappropriation of Rs. 27.5 million from the President’s Fund during the tenure of former President Maithripala Sirisena in 2019.

The complaint was filed by P.V. Lakshman Jayawardena, Vice Chairman of the Eppawala Cooperative Society, who claims that the funds were intended for the construction of a conference hall on land belonging to the society following a request made to the President’s Office in 2017.

According to Jayawardena, construction commenced in January 2019. However, several existing shops on the premises along with doors, windows, roofing sheets, and seating were dismantled and have since gone missing.

He further alleged that although the estimated cost of the project was Rs. 130 million, it was launched with Rs. 73 million and labour assistance from the Sri Lanka Army. Of this, Rs. 27.5 million was eventually released from the President’s Fund, but the project remains incomplete to date.