The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has revealed that an overpayment of Rs. 7,730,262 was made to the former Chief Minister of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, Maheepala Herath, between 2014 and 2017, exceeding the approved fuel allowance limit.
The disclosure was made during a COPA session held this week (05 Aug), chaired by MP Aravinda Senarath, to examine the Auditor General’s reports from 2022 and 2023 and the current operations of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council.
According to the 2010 State Expenditure Management Circular, the monthly fuel allowance for three official vehicles was capped at 1,700 litres. However, an additional 1,500 litres was approved monthly through the Development Design & Machinery Authority and the Provincial Road Passenger Transport Authority based on a decision by the Provincial Board of Ministers.
As a result, Rs. 2.69 million was paid by the Machinery Authority and Rs. 5.03 million by the Transport Authority, leading to a total excess payment of Rs. 7.73 million. COPA recommended that a report be submitted within a month and steps be taken to recover the funds.
The committee also disclosed that in 2022, the personal secretary of the provincial Governor received Rs. 725,000 in fuel allowances during the Governor’s absence abroad, which violates a 2018 Presidential Secretariat Circular. COPA said the amount should be recovered from the former Governor, who will be summoned in future proceedings.
Further concerns were raised over irregularities in rent collection for lands owned by the Provincial Council, prompting a call for a detailed report within two months.
In a separate finding, officials revealed that a supplier had delivered 30-watt LED solar-powered street lamps in 2024 while billing them as 90-watt units. As a result, payment was withheld, and COPA noted this as a clear act of fraud. It recommended a full investigation into the procurement process. (Newswire)
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