Wigneswaran seeks Treasury approval for CM’s fund

The Northern Provincial Council has sought Treasury approval to operate a ‘ Chief Minister’s Fund’ despite objections by the Governor, a spokesman for the Chief Minister’s office said.

The Council had granted approval for the establishment of the fund which hopes to attract aid from foreign donors and well-wishers. Similar funds have been set up in three provincial councils -- the Southern, Sabaragamuwa and the Uva PCs.

The proposal was sent for endorsement by the Governor, Major General (Retd) G.A. Chandrasiri, but he turned it

down on the basis that a ‘ Governor’s Fund’ was already in operation, the Chief Minister’s Coordinating Secretary M. Manmadaraja said.

“Though we sent the request to the Governor it was not mandatory to get his approval. The Chief Minister has now sent the request to the Treasury to operate the fund,” he said.

The move to establish the fund came after a provincial minister obtained Rs. 5 million from well-wishers in Australia for public use but deposited the money in his personal account.

The Province’s Health Minister, Dr S. Sathiyalingam, had collected the money from the Tamil diaspora in Australia promising it would be used to take care of handicapped people and others in need.

However, Chief Minister Wigneswaran this week told the council meeting that the Government was closely monitoring the financial transactions of the council and therefore establishing a ‘ chief minister’s fund’ would be important to maintain transparency.

He said that under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution such funds could be set up.