Standoff between politicians & state officials over Indian aid

The Sri Lanka Government Officers’ Trade Union Association says they will withdraw from disbursing aid received from India, if politicians are involved in the process.

The Association says Nuwara Eliya District Member of Parliament Jeevan Thondaman is trying to influence the disbursement of aid.

Speaking to media, National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari Association Neville Wijeratne said they are making arrangements to disburse the funds from the government of India.

He said however they have not received any selection criteria to disburse funds.

Wijeratne said they are of the view; a large portion of the public should receive the Indian aid, since the entire country is suffering due to the rise in cost of living.

He said the aid should reach the public at the earliest but they cannot make any determination due to the failure of authorities to devise a plan for the distribution.

Neville Wijeratne also noted that they have taken a stance to not participate in any events where politicians are in attendance.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari Association Sumith Kodikara also noted that they have not received selection criteria to disburse the aid.

Joining the same briefing, Kodikara said they have been given directives to select individuals through rural committees.

He said however without a criterion they cannot select beneficiaries.

Sumith Kodikara noted that they faced a similar issue during the disbursement of the Rs.5,000 allowance during the COVID-19 crisis.

He said although Secretaries of Ministries issue directives based on various Ministers, state officials received orders from a number of groups. Sumith Kodikara said therefore the disbursement of aid will be delayed.