Hon. Nanda Bandara raised questions at the Adjournment directed to the Prime Minister concerning the Presidential Fund, originally established under Act No. 7 of 1978 to commemorate President J.R. Jayewardene's assumption of office. He noted that the Fund had historically failed to meet its intended objectives and faced allegations of misuse, but acknowledged that the current National People's Power Government had revised its objectives. The member posed four specific questions seeking information on the current composition of the Board of Governors, whether benefit amounts have been increased and for which purposes, what measures have been taken to simplify service delivery, and what steps have been implemented to ensure transparency in the disbursement of assistance.
Madam Deputy Chairperson, at the Adjournment I address a question to the Hon. Prime Minister regarding the “Presidential Fund,” established under Act No. 7 of 1978 of the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in memory of the assumption of office by President J.R. Jayewardene. Over time, expected objectives were not met and there were allegations of misuse. The present Government of the National People’s Power has updated the Fund with new objectives. I ask:
1. Who are the current members of the Board of Governors of the Presidential Fund?
2. Have the benefit amounts provided by the Presidential Fund been increased? If so, how and for which specific objectives?
3. What measures has the present Government taken to simplify service delivery by the Presidential Fund?
4. What steps have been taken to ensure transparency in the provision of assistance by the Presidential Fund?