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Itukama Covid-19 Fund: Under pressure amidst third wave  

16 May 2021

  • Balance in fund to be fully utilised for Covid-19 vaccines 

  • Expenditure decisions made by 17-member committee  

 By Maheesha Mudugamuwa    The Itukama Covid-19 Fund, established by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last year, was in the limelight last week, as the recent statistics issued by the Presidential Secretariat had revealed that only 23% of the fund had been spent so far for pandemic-related activities. The Auditor General is currently auditing the fund to finalise its accounts.   The fund was established to support and strengthen activities aimed at mitigating the spread of Covid-19 as well as related social welfare programmes. It was established with a donation of Rs. 100 million from the President’s Fund. The public, several local institutions, as well as Sri Lankan expatriates made donations to the fund.  Accordingly, out of the total amount of Rs. 1,752,402,793.24 credited to the fund, only Rs. 391,479,824.00 had been utilised so far, representing only 23% of the total funds received, the statistics released by the President’s Media Unit (PMD) revealed last week.  Despite the aim of the fund being to address the critical healthcare needs brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and improve Sri Lanka’s long-term preparedness for health emergencies, when evaluating the statistics, The Sunday Morning learnt that only a small percentage of the fund money had been allocated to prepare for future emergencies related to the pandemic.    Only a total of Rs. 7,750,000 had been spent to purchase intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which at present has become one of the most decisive factors in the lives of Covid-19 patients due to the current shortage of such ICU beds. Furthermore, a total of Rs. 41,545,980 and Rs. 194,000,000 have been allocated by the fund for vaccination-related expenses and for the purchase of 10 ambulances respectively, it was revealed.    Goals and expenditure breakdown   As mentioned in the official “Itukama” website, the fund was supposed to be utilised for expenditure incurred by the Health Services Director General in the management of Covid-19, including healthcare facilities; drugs; testing equipment and capacity building; the facilitation of the health and safety of health sector employees and all logistics providers working to provide essential public delivery services during the ongoing pandemic; provision of basic essentials to identified vulnerable groups including children, women, low-income earners, the elderly, and differently-abled; strengthen public healthcare systems and reduce national risk of communicable diseases, including rural dispensaries; testing and treatment centres; promotion of research and innovation in health and sanitation, including indigenous medicine and the use of local raw material; support local innovations in protective clothing and sanitation products that can be marketed globally; and promotion of healthy living through media and educational programmes.  However, concerns were raised by the public as to whether the Government was able to achieve the targets set for the fund.  However, as per the recent expenditure breakdowns issued by the PMD, it has been revealed that the second highest amount of Rs. 67,543,967 had been spent on awareness campaigns. This amount is second to the amount spent for purchasing 10 ambulances. Meanwhile, Rs. 42,605,812 and Rs. 38,031,065 have been spent for PCR test-related expenses and expenditure on quarantine centres and related procedures.  The breakdown of the fund expenditure was released following public pressure, questioning the progress that had been made by the Government with regard to the Covid-19 preparedness in the country.    17-member committee   Denying allegations levelled against the Government regarding the utilisation of the Itukama Covid-19 Fund, Presidential Secretariat Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ravindra Wimalaweera, who is also the Secretary of the Itukama Covid-19 Fund, said the decisions with regard to the utilisation of funds were taken by all 17 members appointed by the President.  The fund, chaired by Central Bank Governor Prof. W.D. Lakshman, comprises 17 members including himself and Secretary Wimalaweera. The other members are Ministry of Finance Economic and Policy Development Secretary S.R. Attygalle; Ministry of Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. G.D.H. Kamal Gunaratne; Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Secretary J.J. Rathnasiri; Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services Secretary Maj. Gen. Sanjeewa Munsinghe; the Inspector General of Police (Acting) (RTE); Health Services Director General; Sri Lanka Customs Director General; Lanka Sathosa Chairman; Employees Trust Fund Chairman; Additional Secretary, Presidential Secretariat; Director General (Legal), Presidential Secretariat; Central Bank Assistant Governor; Bank of Ceylon Senior Deputy General Manager; Former Auditor General S. Swarnajothi; and former Colombo High Court Bar Association Attorney J.M.S.G. Jayasundara.  Wimalaweera told The Sunday Morning that so far, 13 meetings have been held and when a member couldn’t participate in a meeting, the respective member was informed of the decisions taken on that day via an e-mail.  “There were situations where all members could not sit in one place and discuss the matters and at such times, we informed them via e-mail and sometimes we held Zoom meetings,” he added.  Commenting on the decision-making process, Wimalaweera said when a request is submitted, it is first discussed among the members, and if all members agree to proceed, the request will proceed.  He went on to explain how the procurement process was handled for items that were needed by the local authorities in dealing with the pandemic, stating that monies from the fund were directly disbursed to the local authorities, which then dealt with the suppliers.   “We haven’t made any payments directly to the supplier. All the purchases have been finalised by the respective institution/authority following the approved procurement process. We made payments to the institution and the institution directly dealt with the supplier,” he explained.    ‘To accept foreign donations’   Clarifying further in its statement, the PMD stated that international financial institutions or organisations have not contributed to the Covid–19 fund, as according to international laws, foreign aid and donations are made to the Treasury and therefore, there is no connection between this fund and donations from international organisations.  Even though the Itukama Covid-19 Fund received more public donations in 2020, the average monthly donation received up to April 2021 is around Rs. 7 million, it is stated.  Nevertheless, the PMD announced that the balance funds would be allocated for the Covid-19 vaccination drive.  Meanwhile, when contacted by The Sunday Morning, Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the Government was willing to raise more funds for the fund but it would not be a burden to the people of this country.  “We (will) accept foreign donations,” he added.  Explaining further, the Minister noted the remaining fund money would be utilised to purchase Covid-19 vaccines.  “The Government has enough funds to purchase vaccines, and to expedite the process; we are even looking at vaccines from the open market,” Rambukwella stressed.   

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