News
Fingerprint attendance machines worth Rs. 30 mn discarded in health sector
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Health Ministry officials have informed a sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee that fingerprint attendance machines procured at a cost of Rs 31.08 mn in 2017 are idling because workers refuse to use them.
The officials who appeared before the sub-committee included Ministry Secretary Janaka Chandragupta and Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena.Maj. Pradeep Undugoda (SLPP) heads the sub-committee tasked with examining the Health Ministry under heavy fire for waste, corruption, irregularities and mismanagement.
The House committee summoned the top management in the wake of Dr. Ramesh Pathirana succeeding Rambukwella as the Health Minister.
The committee was told that there were 213 unused machines procured in terms of a circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration. Asked to explain the failure on the part of the Health Ministry to implement a government directive, the officials claimed the machines could not be used due to workers’ protests aginast them.
MP Undugoda pointed out that the health service should adhere to measures taken by the government to tackle corruption and also increase efficiency.
Director Legislative Services / Director Communication (Acting) Janakantha Silva, in a statement issued yesterday (16) said that the House sub-committee expressed its displease over the failure on the part of the ministry team to answer a spate of questions raised therein.
During the proceedings it was also revealed that a supplier of perishable goods to Angoda hospital who declined to payback additional payments received on the basis of bankruptcy was found to be a contractor for the health ministry.
Health ministry officials admitted that the money couldn’t be recovered due to lapses on their part in finalizing the contract in terms of guidelines given by the relevant procurement committee.
Prime Munister Dr Harini Amarasuriya returned to the island this (23rd) morning after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted a diving operation on 19 Jan 26 to inspect and restore the sluice gate of the Bomburuella Reservoir.
Acting on a request from the Department of Irrigation, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed a specialized diving team from the Western Naval Command, for the urgent requirement.
Through concerted effort, the Navy divers successfully cleared accumulated debris, including a significant quantity of wooden fragments, which had impeded the sluice gate mechanism.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.
The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.
These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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