The President’s Fund is a special fund established for the people of Sri Lanka. It holds millions of rupees. The funds come primarily from contributors rather than the government. Its main purpose is to be transparent and democratic. To this day, it continues to receive substantial donations.
However, reports have emerged that this fund has been misused, with powerful individuals allegedly embezzling large sums of money. It has now come to light that past ministers representing previous governments have received significant amounts from the President’s Fund. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, a leading ruling party member, presented statistical evidence regarding this matter in Parliament.
Jayawardene’s Noble Initiatives
The fund was established by the 1978 Act No. 07, following a proposal by President J.R. Jayawardene. Initially, it was set up with a donation of Rs. 2,371,20 and was intended to be managed with great transparency and care, a system introduced by President Jayawardene himself.
This fund’s primary goals include alleviating poverty and improving educational facilities for underprivileged children. Other objectives include promoting religious development and recognising individuals who have served the nation. Additionally, it is considered a fund that provides various social services, including assistance for the sick. According to this Act, the management responsibility of the fund is also assigned to the President.
Allegations of Misuse Against Four Former Presidents
However, the presidents who have held office from 2005 to 2024 are implicated in the misuse of this fund. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Ranil Wickremesinghe cannot escape these allegations. They need to take responsibility for answering questions about this corruption, which is critical for political ethics.
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa revealed in Parliament that there are troubling issues regarding payments made from the President’s Fund from 2005 to 2024. He disclosed that funds allocated for alleviating poverty and other welfare activities have recently been spent on the needs of certain ministers.
Involvement of Two Former Prime Ministers
According to his revelations, the ruling parties have mainly obtained funds over the past few years. Former Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne received Rs. 300,000 from the fund. Additionally, former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena received Rs. 121,000 from the same fund. Furthermore, it has been revealed that during Dinesh Gunawardena’s tenure, Rs. 121,000 was spent on expenses related to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Ministers Who Received Millions from the Fund
Reports presented to Parliament indicate that former ministers P. Harrison, Piyasehana Gamage, Sumedha Jayasena, Manoj Sirisena, P. Dayaratna, S.C. Muthukumaran, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Sarath Amunugama, and S.B. Nawinna have also received funds from the President’s Fund between 2005 and 2024.
Additionally, Jagath Kumara received Rs. 1,000,000, K.P.S. Kumarasiri Rs. 953,430, Jayalath Jayawardena Rs. 1,000,000, Namal Gunawardena Rs. 1,000,000, Dharmadasa Bandara Rs. 1,000,000, Vidura Wickramanayake Rs. 1,500,000, Wimalaweera Disanayake Rs. 3,000,000, Laki Disanayake Rs. 1,620,000, P. Chandrasekaran Rs. 1,400,000, John Amarathunga Rs. 4,000,000, Joseph Michael Pereira Rs. 2,700,000, T.B. Ekanayake Rs. 4,800,000, W.M. S. Fonseka Rs. 5,500,000, Jayanta Weerasinghe Rs. 9,000,000, Alik Aluwihare Rs. 2,200,000, Ranjith Aluwihare Rs. 860,000, Rajitha Senaratne Rs. 10,000,000, Keheliya Rambukwella Rs. 11,000,000, M.A.K.D.S. Gunawardena Rs. 11,200,000, and Ranjith Soysa Rs. 18,800,000 from the President’s Fund. Additionally, J.P.D.P.K. Jayasekara from the Kurunegala district is listed as having received funds, identifiable as Dayasiri Jayasekara. Moreover, H.M.P.N.D. Silva from the Kalutara district has received funds and is identified as a former minister named Piyal Nishantha. It has also been revealed that Isura Devapriya, a former MP from the Colombo district and former chief minister, received funds from the President’s Fund.
Misuse of Parliamentary Privileges and the President’s Fund
None of those who have received money this way are entitled to funds from the President’s Fund. At a time when every member of Parliament is receiving an enormous array of privileges, obtaining money from the President’s Fund can be termed theft. The privileges available to MPs are outlined in the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act No. 27 of 1997.
Accordingly, every newly elected MP is entitled to a basic salary of Rs. 54,285, which can be increased based on their position within Parliament and the number of terms they serve. They also receive an office allowance of Rs. 100,000 and significant amounts for telephone, fuel, free postal expenses, transportation, and staff allowances. Additionally, the parliamentary canteen offers high-quality meals at a very subsidised rate.
Given how money has been obtained from the President’s Fund, it is evident that many MPs become wealthy by the end of a five-year official term. Under the guise of “public service,” these members often seek to obtain official ministerial residences. MPs who do not receive official housing are granted Rs. 75,000 as a parliamentary privilege. Furthermore, ministers are allocated specific residences in various regions.
Next, there is a growing need for luxury vehicles among public representatives. This desire manifests itself in expenditures amounting to hundreds of millions of public funds, masked by their privileges. The people of Sri Lanka often view this habit of MPs as excessive. Accordingly, they receive an exemption from vehicle taxes and licenses. Some even sell these licenses for substantial sums of money.
Insurance Coverage of One Million Rupees – Compensation for Death in the Millions
Meanwhile, each member of Parliament is also entitled to insurance coverage of one million rupees. In the event of a death, a compensation of one million rupees has also been proposed as part of parliamentary privileges.
A medical centre has been established within the parliamentary premises to treat any emergencies that may occur during parliamentary activities. The public questions whether it is not shameful for MPs to divert funds from the President’s Fund, which was established to provide medical treatment for the general public in such situations.
It is now evident that these activities have occurred without any hindrance. There is a saying, “A king is helpless when sick,” yet some politicians in Sri Lanka have shown an alarming trend of becoming unwell.
A notable incident involved a powerful minister from a past government travelling to Australia. During an attempt to engage with women, he suffered a health crisis, which became the subject of widespread discussion. In such cases, funds from the President’s Fund were reportedly allocated to treat individuals who fell ill.
The Vulnerable Population Suffering with Empty Hands
Village individuals struggle to obtain two to three hundred thousand rupees from the President’s Fund for kidney transplants or cancer treatment. They often have to write letters at least ten to twelve times and walk to various officials to get approvals.
However, ministers do not have to endure such hardships for these documents. They can utilise their power to call officials directly to their side or obtain what they need more quickly.
Reports indicate that such practices are occurring. Meanwhile, although many people apply daily for financial assistance from the President’s Fund, few are fortunate enough to receive it. The fatigue the vulnerable population feels is comparable to gazing at the sky while walking with emptied pockets—the exhaustion is only shared by those who have worked hard for it.
Many ministers have started sharing their experiences on social media regarding the responses received from the President’s Fund. One letter issued by the Presidential Office indicated that providing financial assistance has become challenging due to the limited financial resources held by the President’s Fund.
The letter also states that funds can only be released based on procedures approved by the governing board. Hence, an individual requesting financial assistance for heart surgery was notified that the family’s financial resources did not suffice to cover the surgery costs.
The letter stated, “There is no possibility to fulfil your request based on the approved procedures of the President’s Fund.” It is a shame that innocent and poor individuals face difficulties obtaining even two hundred thousand rupees.
However, parliamentarians, covered by million-rupee insurance plans, have received significant payments from the President’s Fund. Society questions the basis upon which these funds were allocated.
Furthermore, during this assistance process, the impoverished do not receive even two hundred thousand rupees; that money goes to the relevant institutions—like hospitals for surgery. However, it has been revealed that parliamentarians have managed to secure these funds fully.
Sick Family Members on the March
Families of patients are now seen marching on public roads for surgeries that need to be performed on their relatives. As they board buses and encounter others on the streets, the number of people striving to save their ill family members is increasing.
The helpless have to march on the streets because they receive no assistance from the government or the President’s Fund. It is evident that with the considerable sums available to ministers, there should be funds remaining for the benefit of the public.
Recently, a group collecting funds for a child’s heart surgery encountered this truth in Boralesgamuwa. They responded to a notification stating that they could obtain assistance from the President’s Fund by saying, “It is more challenging to get assistance from the President’s Fund than to get a loan from a bank.
Even if we hope to receive assistance today or tomorrow, we’ve realised that doesn’t happen. Thus, we have come to the streets to raise the necessary funds to save the child’s life.” This predicament affects the impoverished but seems irrelevant to those with means.
All Fundamental Objectives Overridden
The legislation concerning the President’s Fund clearly outlines several occasions for assistance, including alleviating poverty, enhancing education or knowledge, promoting religion, and rewarding individuals who have served the nation.
Studying this law clearly shows that the fund was established specifically to provide relief to the destitute and helpless. However, what has transpired is quite the opposite. The majority of funds have been drawn from the President’s Fund by the very people who could use them to represent corrupt politics. The recent revelation of the names of ministers who received money from the President’s Fund has clarified this situation.
Members of Parliament are very adept at appearing in the media. Ministers who have received money from the President’s Fund must now prove their integrity. Such lists surfaced even during Maithripala Sirisena’s presidency.
Society rightly blames these ministers for the situation related to the money received from the President’s Fund. The primary reason is that impoverished people cannot obtain two hundred thousand rupees from the President’s Fund for their surgeries. The fund established for the poor is now of no help to the needy.
