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[22nd June 2006 - 03:00 S.L.T]
Parliamentarian Vijitha
Herath, who is the president of the parliamentary select committee appointed
for probing the financial accounts of some thirty Non Government
Organizations operating in this country, said that the committee will start
inquiries soon.
He said accordingly the
organizations and bodies concerned have been informed to furnish a
comprehensive report on the funds donated to Sri Lanka within a week after
the tsunami disaster and how they were used.
Sri Lanka has received
rupees 40.1 Billion from foreign countries through NGO’s soon after the
tsunami catastrophe.
No statistics or reports
about them are available in the relevant ministries. MP Herath disclosed that
256 NGO’s have used these funds within the country after tsunami disaster.
Though 180 schools had
been earmarked for renovation, only 20 have been renovated. Therefore there
arises a serious suspicion as to whether the tsunami affected people
benefited from these funds. He said it is therefore a responsibility that
fell upon them to inquire in to the matter on behalf of the people in the
country. Mr. Herath pointed out that the select committee is bound to find
out about what happened to this money and whither the monies were properly
used and it is the responsibility of the committee to disclose any
irregularities or misappropriations in this regard.
He emphasized that no
one will be allowed to stop their work by threats as had been implied by
statements certain NGO's has made to the press recently. He added that the select committee he heads has powers to
reviews the activities of all NGO’s and the committee will take stern action
against errant NGO’s. MP Herath said they are bound by the people to do so.
The committee met in
parliament on 20th to commence work on the subject. Present in
the sitting were UNP Mp Jayawaickrama perera, JVP MP’s Bimal Rathhayake and
Sunil Handunneththi and TNA, MPs' representing different parties. Officials
from attorney Generals’ department, Foreign ministry. Social services
department, Defense ministry and ministry of internal affairs to detail the
committee.
Inquiries were made
there about the registration of an NGO and handling of funs by them. As
these ministries were not in possession of accurate data, the committee
members informed the ministry officials to attend the next sitting with
these data. |
