India’s donation to Mahinda in doubt!

Sep 26, 2016

Indian high commissioner Y.K. Sinha has decided to donate equipment worth Rs. 300 million to fisheries minister Maninda Amaraweera in appreciation of his ‘compassionate consideration’ of the Indian fishermen arrested in Sri Lankan waters.

The equipment to be distributed to fishermen of Hambantota district include 60,000 mammoties, 7,000 cycles, 1,000 sewing machines and 9,000 life jackets for fishermen. The HC has informed the minister to buy the equipment locally after calling for tenders. Chairman of the Lanka fisheries harbour corporation Amarananda Abeygunasekara has been given the responsibility of selecting the recipients.

 

A trader in Borella has been chosen to supply the 7,000 cycles, and a fisheries ministry coordinator had gone there and inquired as to whether bills could be issued for the cycles, each worth Rs. 9,000, at the rate of Rs. 12,000.

 

Therefore, a question arises as to whether there is an attempt to swindle the Indian HC’s donation. Previously too, India has made personal donations to ministers. The high commission says the trust in them has been breached due to the abuse of the donations. Those ministers include Douglas Devananda, Arumugam Thondaman and Risath Bathiudeen.

 

When asked about the donation, corporation chairman Abeygunawardena said such a donation was due to be received. Tenders are yet to be called to purchase the equipment, and the ministry will carry out the task with transparency, he said.