In order to investigate the matters raised by the special audit report on the functioning of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) and to examine the progress of the implementation of recommendations given by COPE, a committee meeting was held yesterday (07) under the chairmanship of (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara.

The Internal Inquiry Committee appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry to investigate the matters raised in the said Special Audit Report for the purpose of reporting to COPE was discussed at length.

Furthermore, in the last meeting, there was a discussion at length about holding the meetings of the governing council of the Central Cultural Fund and whether the funds have been properly spent, and the committee members had agreed to discuss the validity of the 209th meeting of the governing council in this meeting.

Accordingly, the Auditor General pointed out that only 07 of the 11 members have agreed to the decisions of the 209th meeting and 04 including the former Prime Minister have not signed. Stating that there is a discrepancy between the signatures used by the 07 signatories on the signature list of this meeting and the signatures used by them in the previous governing board meetings, the Auditor General pointed out that the decisions of the 209th governing board meeting have not been adopted in the 210th meeting.

The Auditor General also stated that the then Prime Minister’s Secretary and the current President’s Secretary, who were members of the relevant governing body, confirmed that he was not a party to such a meeting.

Accordingly, followed by extensive discussion, the COPE Chair gave the following recommendations to the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.
Appointment of a committee headed by a retired court judge to investigate the issues raised by the special audit report of the Central Cultural Fund for the period 2015 – 2019.

Dissolution of the singular internal investigation committee for the purpose of reporting to COPE appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry to investigate the matters raised in the said Special Audit Report.

To check the validity of the signature list of the 209th meeting, to refer the list to the Criminal Investigation Department and the Government Inspector.

Recall the Central Cultural Fund before the Committee to review the progress of the recommendations made by COPE on the matters raised by the Special Audit Report on the functioning of the Fund.

To make the report of the new committee proposed which is to be appointed to investigate the functioning of the Central Cultural Fund and present it before COPE within 03 months.

In addition to this, the committee members focused on the future plans of  COPE, and the institutions that should be prioritized. The Chair mentioned that he had already discussed it with the Auditor General. Accordingly, the chair mentioned that investigations will be carried out by sub-committees through a cluster committee system and a system of calling only the institutions with essential and current importance to the main committee will be facilitated.

Prices of bread & several essential food items reduced

Prices of several essential food items have been reduced due to the strengthening of the Sri Lankan Rupee against the US Dollar.

The Essential Food Commodities’ Importers and Traders Association stated that the strengthening of the Sri Lankan Rupee has resulted in a drop in wholesale prices of imported food commodities by around 10%.

The Association further stated that thereby, the wholesale prices of imported Sugar, Dhal and Onions have been reduced by Rs.30 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, flour companies – Serandib and Prima have announced that the price of their Wheat Flour products will be reduced by Rs.15 per kilo from today.

The All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association has announced that the price of a 450g loaf of bread will be reduced by Rs. 10 from midnight today (08).

The Urban Development Authority says that an agreement with China to build 1,996 houses for low-income earners and artistes will be reached in the next few weeks.

The preliminary agreement in this regards was signed at the Urban Development Authority recently. This housing programme will be initiated on the advice of Prasanna Ranatunga, Minister of Urban Development and Housing, as a solution to housing problems for low-income families in Sri Lanka.

The Chinese government is going to provide 29 billion rupees for the project.

These houses are to be constructed in five locations namely, Peliyagoda, Dematagoda, Kottawa, Maharagama and Moratuwa.

(dailynews.lk)