A trade union representing Samurdhi Department employees has lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged financial irregularities during the tenure of former Minister Daya Gamage, NewsFirst reported on Monday.
The complaint was submitted by the Samurdhi Employees’ Trade Union Federation, which says a series of decisions and financial transactions made during Gamage’s time as subject minister warrant a formal investigation.
The allegations
Federation Chairman Somasiri Liyanage, speaking after lodging the complaint, alleged that permanent appointments were granted unlawfully in 2019, when Gamage held the portfolio under the government led by then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said the posts included computer assistants and support staff, and carried permanent status and pension entitlements.
Liyanage claimed unions raised concerns at the time that the appointments did not follow proper procedure, and alleged that the process was directed from ministerial level.
The complaint also alleges that approximately Rs. 100 million belonging to the Samurdhi Department’s microfinance division remains unaccounted for, and that a further Rs. 135 million was drawn from the Social Security Fund, which was established with public money for community benefit. Liyanage claimed that when attempts were made to recover those funds, the deductions were ultimately taken from benefits intended for low-income Samurdhi recipients, while those responsible were not held to account.
He further alleged that a national-level event held during Gamage’s tenure was used for political promotion, that departmental funds financed activities connected to it, and that the selection of Samurdhi beneficiaries at the time was influenced by political affiliation and personal connections.
Allegations, not findings
The claims are allegations made by a trade union in a complaint to CIABOC and have not been tested by the commission or by any court. NewsFirst did not report a response from Daya Gamage, and did not say whether CIABOC has decided to open an investigation.
The Samurdhi programme is Sri Lanka’s long-running welfare scheme, since supplemented by the Aswesuma payments system. As of Monday evening, no other verified Sri Lankan newsroom had published its own report of the complaint.
