A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Massive losses from lottery printing
Just
like during the previous administrations, the focus in the present
‘Yahapaalana’ government too, is on the Finance Ministry. It attracts
attention of all and receives both criticisms and commendations. As a
crucial factor in the country’s future, the responsibilities and the
accountability it carries are no simple tasks. On the other hand, from
the annual budget, the criticisms it undergoes cannot be ignored
lightly. The matter worsened following the bond issue.
Even today, the Lotteries Board remains a controversial matter. However,
former minister Ravi Karunanayake told the media recently that under
him, the Board had earned a Rs. 300 billion profit. According to him,
that profit was made due to the attacks unleashed on the hidden
political hands in the Board. The portfolios have changed, but the Board
remains under him.
We have received reports about questionable situations with regard to
the printing of lotteries. From 2002 to May 2016, the lotteries were
printed by MBA Pvt. Ltd. When comparing the rates it had submitted
previously and the new rates, the losses to the Board are enormous.
Under the new procurement mechanism, the annual saving in 2016 in the
printing of Jathika Sampatha, Vasana Sampatha, Govisetha, Supiri Vasana
Sampatha and Supiri Delakshapathi alone was Rs. 57,283,185.20. Simply
put, Rs. 570 million.
MBA has been printing since 2002 and due to the political powers it
enjoyed, the tender procedure was not applicable for them. Until May
2016, it had been able to have its own say. The Board has lost Rs.
636,425,053.46 due to the lotteries having been printed at high rates.
That shows the strength of the political hand that had been appearing on
behalf of MBA. But, remember, what has been swindled is public money.
If any party wants to make a clarification or explanation in this regard, we are ready to accommodate it.