Fuel Scandal: Ex-Chief Minister Received Triple Allowance

COLOMBO (News 1st); Serious concerns over misuse of public resources have emerged following revelations at the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) regarding excessive fuel allocations to former Chief Ministers of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council.

According to evidence presented at the committee meeting chaired by MP Aravinda Senaratne, former Chief Minister Maheepala Herath had allegedly received 4,700 liters of fuel per month, far exceeding the official entitlement of 1,700 liters (500 liters of diesel and 1,200 liters of petrol) as per the Presidential Secretariat’s circular.

The excess fuel was reportedly approved through two agencies, with each entity authorizing an additional 1,500 liters, bringing the total to nearly three times the permitted amount.

Further scrutiny revealed that Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, another former Chief Minister, had his monthly fuel allowance disbursed to his personal secretary during a period when he was overseas. Officials confirmed that this directive came from Kobbekaduwa himself, despite such a transfer being legally unauthorized.

Acting Governor’s Secretary A.S.J. Godellawatta acknowledged that the instruction was not in line with legal protocols, and committee members questioned whether public officials were obligated to follow such directives.

The committee also learned that the personal secretary in question had received separate fuel allocations for three vehicles, raising further concerns about double benefits and procedural violations.