President’s Fund: RW says only one politician received over Rs. 1 mn in aid
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has clarified in a statement that during his tenure from 2022 to September 2024 all private requests for medical assistance from public representatives were handled under the standard administrative procedures of the Presidential Fund.
Except for one case, no individual received financial aid exceeding Rs. 1 million, the former President said.
Several notable disbursements made during this period were detailed in the statement.
*Rs. 1 million for a heart surgery for former Western Province Chief Minister E.A. Isura Devapriya Perera at Nawaloka Hospital
*Rs. 500,000 for a heart surgery for former MP U. Sarath Kongahage at Lanka Hospitals.
*Rs. 400,000 for former MP S.C. Muthukumarana to purchase hearing aids from Vision Care.
*Rs. 1 million for a heart surgery for former MP S.A. Jagath Kumara at Asiri Hospital.
Meanwhile, veteran actress Malini Fonseka was provided Rs. 5 million through the Sri Lankan Consulate General in Chennai for treatment at Apollo Hospital in India, the statement said.
Wickremesinghe said that this support was extended in recognition of Fonseka’s exceptional contributions to the local arts and cinema industry. He added that several other artists have received similar assistance over the past two years.
Wickremesinghe further noted that over the last two years, the Presidential Fund has disbursed substantial financial aid exceeding Rs. 100 million for medical treatments.
This included support for patients, applicants, and children requiring critical care