Rs. 3.773 Bn Spent on Chief Government Whip's Office Over Four Years

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, the Chief Government Whip, has revealed extensive misuse of public funds by former government officials, including organizers of the previous administration. 

In a detailed statement, Jayatissa outlined the extravagant spending on allowances, vehicles, and staff by former Chief Government Whips and their deputies.

Jayatissa highlighted that his predecessor, Prasanna Ranatunga, along with two deputy Chief Government Whips, Sagara Kariyawasam and Jayantha Katagoda, appointed three assistant Chief Government Whips. These appointments resulted in a total of six officials receiving additional allowances and benefits similar to those of Deputy Ministers. The government spent Rs. 7,437,255 per month on these officials in 2024 alone.

The minister disclosed that from December 2023 to September 2024, Rs. 2,490,500 was spent on vehicle leases for the deputy Chief Government Whips. Over the 49 months under the governments of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe, Rs. 3.773 billion was spent to maintain the office of the Chief Government Whip.

Jayatissa also criticized the excessive spending on Presidential Commissions of Inquiry since 2016. A total of Rs. 5.301 billion was spent on 14 commissions, with significant amounts allocated to investigate various issues such as state property misuse and political victimization. He noted that only one commission, established in 2022 to inquire into compensation for victims of violence, worked efficiently.

"A Presidential Commission was appointed to investigate the misuse of state property, and that had cost Rs. 66,237,000/- In the end that too was over. A sum of 14,456,000 was spent on the Presidential Commission to investigate complaints into missing persons, and that report too is missing. 106,300,000 was spent on the Presidential Commission to inquire into the Easter Sunday Attack. Rs. 35,000,000 was spent on the Presidential Commission to investigate the Anti Corruption Unit. Rs.84,200,000 had been spent on the Presidential Commission to inquire into political victimization in 2015-16-17-18 and 19. Rs.31,800,000 was spent on the Presidential Commission to inquire into the allegations against the Customs. In total a sum of 5.301 Billion Rupees had been spent for these 14 Presidential Commissions. There was only one commission that worked fast and efficiently, and that was the Presidential Commission that was established in 2022 to inquire into the Compensation for victims of violence that was reported from the 31st of March 2022 to the 15th of May 2022," he noted.

The minister further revealed the high costs associated with maintaining former presidents. In 2024 alone, Rs. 110.5 million was spent from the country's treasury to support six former presidents, with Mahinda Rajapaksa receiving 56% of this amount.

"2.53 million rupees for Ranil Wickremesinghe, 11.02 million Rupees for Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This is the expence for only the year 2024. 18.57 million rupees for Maithripala Sirisena. 3.04 million rupees for Hema Premadasa. 13.69 million rupees for Chandrika Kumaratunga. 61.66 million rupees for Mahinda Rajapaksa. This means that out of the total amount of money spent on all 6 of them 56% of it has been spent to maintain Mahinda Rajapaksa. If we consider capital expences, 77% has been given to him. 110.5 million rupees has been spent from this country's treasury to maintain these former presidents," he added.

Jayatissa emphasized the current government's efforts to reduce expenses and set an example for the public. Since taking office, they have saved Rs. 15.1 million in salaries, over Rs. 3 million in transport expenses, and Rs. 35.6 million in vehicle maintenance costs.