Concerns over government's expenditure on ambulances

COLOMBO (News1st): Concerns have been raised about the cost borne by the government to purchase ambulances using the Itukama COVID-19 Fund, Dr Harsha de Silva, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya lawmaker has said.

"Many people are asking how much was spent on purchasing Suwa Seriya ambulances. The cost was 7 million rupees. The 7 million rupee cost included the medical equipment as well," de Silva noted.

He questioned the reason as to which the government purchased 10 ambulances at a massive cost. "I feel that 19.5 million is an exorbitant rate," the SJB MP noted.

Sagara Kariyawasam, the general secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, noted that the government would release the details of the fun in near future.

"We wish to promise the people that we will divulge all details on the manner in which the COVID-19 Fund was utilized and the purposes for which it was used," Kariyawasam noted.

Prof. G.L. Peiris, the education minister, insisted that fraud has not taken place in terms of the COVID-19 Fund.