Only 23% of Itukama COVID-19 fund utilised

Tuesday, 11 May 2021 01:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

PMD releases breakdown of fund usage
Funds used for PCR testing, awareness and quarantine measures
Money also earmarked for vaccines, 10 ambulances and ICU beds

Only 23% of the Itukama COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund, which has Rs. 1.75 billion in deposits, has been utilised to date, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said yesterday, but the balance will be used for the country’s vaccination program.

Questions have been raised by the public about the Itukama fund, causing the PMD to release a breakdown of the funds used thus far. According to the PMD, Rs. 391,479,824 has been used thus far by the Health Ministry and Sri Lanka Army.

The expenses deducted from the fund include Rs. 42.6 million for PCR testing, Rs. 67.5 million for awareness and educational programs, Rs. 38 million for quarantine measures, and Rs. 3,000 for administrative costs.Liabilities include Rs. 41.5 million for vaccination, Rs. 194 million for the purchase of 10 ambulances, and Rs. 7.7 million for ICU beds.

The statement added that the Fund was being audited by the National Audit Office and that a total of Rs. 1,752,402,793.24 had been collected thus far. However, the PMD added that the average monthly deposits in 2021 had amounted to Rs. 7 million, a drop from the deposits made in 2020.

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