Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dayasiri Jayasekara today (20 December) slammed Minister Nalinda Jayatissa for revealing a list of politicians who received funds from the President’s Fund.
Jayatissa disclosed in Parliament on Tuesday (17 December) that 36 former Members of Parliament had received millions of rupees from the President’s Fund for purposes outside of its primary areas from 2005 to 2024. Among the list of names was Jayasekara’s.
Following this revelation, controversy erupted, with the public questioning why such substantial amounts of money were easily granted to politicians while ordinary citizens must endure a lengthy and tiresome process to receive just a few lakhs.
In a media briefing, Jayasekara explained that there is no legal obstacle preventing politicians from applying for funds from the President’s Fund, just like any other citizen of the country.
“That being said, I don’t accept that some politicians received such large sums, like 20 to 30 million. There’s a problem with that. This is a sensitive issue. But I must ask: what is the objective of Nalinda Jayatissa in revealing this list in Parliament? What did he expect to achieve by doing so?” Jayasekara questioned.
Jayasekara acknowledged Jayatissa’s statement that there are five criteria for approving assistance from the President’s Fund. He added that politicians, like any citizen, can receive money based on the board’s and President’s views.
“There are two ways to address this controversy. One is that the fund is subject to the inspection of the Auditor General. I checked the Auditor General’s 2019 report on the President’s Fund, and there’s no mention of politicians receiving money. The Auditor General raised no concerns. The second option is to go to court against the President and the board that approved these payments. Anyone can do that,” he said.
Explaining his own situation, Jayasekara said he was admitted to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital on 12 February 2019 following a cardiac arrest and underwent surgery. He recalled that former President Maithripala Sirisena visited him during his stay and, before leaving, discussed with the hospital staff and approved funds from the President’s Fund for his surgery.
“He told the hospital staff to send the medical bill, and he would approve money from the President’s Fund.”
“That is his humanity, and I commend him for that,” Jayasekara added.
Furthermore, Jayasekara clarified that he had not concealed any information about the matter, including using initials. “That is my name. I have several names along with my surname, just like Nalinda Jayatissa. His full name is W.A.N.W. Jayatissa. I use the name Dayasiri Jayasekara, just as he uses Nalinda Jayatissa,” he said.
“That is why I see Jayatissa’s actions as cheap. Shame on him. The total cost of my surgery was Rs 862,052.93. Part of it was covered by the President’s Fund, and I paid the rest out of my own pocket. I didn’t get millions from the fund,” Jayasekara stated.
He went on to urge Jayatissa to refrain from such actions, adding, “He is also a medical doctor. How can he do such a shameless thing? I had heart surgery, and former MPs Manoj Sirisena and Wimalaweera Dissanayake also have serious medical conditions. Don’t sling mud at such people.”
“I’m not a multi-millionaire. The people of Kurunegala know how I live among them as an ordinary person. Therefore, I think it is reasonable for politicians to receive money from the President’s Fund, but not millions. It is ethically wrong, and I admit that. But it cannot be said that receiving some money from the fund is unreasonable.”
Jayasekara concluded by stating that if there is a problem with politicians receiving money from the President’s Fund, the Government should amend the Act or take a pledge from 159 NPP MPs that they won’t accept such funds. He emphasised that the Government members are filled with hatred and that’s why they often speaks about MPs’ privileges.
