A large number of politically appointed lottery agents have failed to pay outstanding dues amounting to millions of rupees to the National Lotteries Board (NLB), according to its Chairman M.D.C.A. Perera.

Speaking at a press briefing held yesterday (29), Perera revealed that several district agents had not remitted funds for over five years. He alleged that many of these agents were appointed due to political connections rather than merit.

Among them, he claimed, are sister-in-law of former Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and the wife of MP Hesha Withanage.

Perera said that Lakeesha Tharangika, a sister-in-law of Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, owes the NLB Rs. 9.8 million, while Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Wijitha Nandani, wife of Hesha Withanage, owes Rs. 2.1 million.

“These individuals have misappropriated public funds. Complaints have already been lodged with the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). There will be no political interference or compromises in recovering this money,” Perera stressed.

He added that Kariyawasam’s sister-in-law had been appointed as a sales agent on 16 June 2016, allegedly through the former minister’s recommendation, and had defaulted on payments since 2019. “When we investigated her background, we found her marriage certificate showing clear family links to Kariyawasam,” he said.

Perera further alleged that Hesha Withanage’s wife had been recommended as an agent by the MP himself, with her application listing his email address. “The FCID questioned her, and she admitted that her agents failed to make payments due to her political involvement,” he said.

The NLB Chairman claimed that despite repeated investigations, internal officers and political interference had hindered action in the past. “This misuse of public revenue falls under the Offences Against Public Property Act. We are now pursuing legal means to recover all funds,” he added.

Perera also named several other politically linked agents who have defaulted on payments, including:

• A.D. Dharmapala, recommended by former Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake, owing Rs. 2.3 million.
• D.D. Perera, appointed on 15 December 2011 under the recommendation of former State Minister Navin Dissanayake, owing Rs. 600,000.
• J.M. Ariyasinha, appointed under the recommendation of former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who has defaulted Rs. 439,400.
• Aruna Siriwardena, the UNP’s Seruwila organiser, also in arrears.
• Lanka Super Fortunes Company, recommended by former Labour Minister Gamini Lokuge in 2013, owing Rs. 194,000.

“The public must know that the National Lotteries Board is no longer a place for political favours. Every rupee due to the state will be recovered,” Perera affirmed.