Minister reveals President’s Fund scholarships went to children and relatives of politicians

Wednesday, 6 August 2025 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Urban Development, Construction and Housing Minister Anura Karunathilaka

Urban Development, Construction and Housing Minister Anura Karunathilaka yesterday told Parliament that children and relatives of Presidents, Ministers and Parliamentarians had benefited from the President’s Fund scholarships between 2005 and 2014.

Addressing the House, the Minister said records show that funds meant for scholarships had been allocated to family members of senior political figures during the period.

Among the recipients named were: Harshana Rajakaruna, son of former Gampaha District MP Sarath Chandra Rajapakaruna, I.N. Kodituwakku, relative of former Colombo District MP Karunasena Kodituwakku (2006), V. Radhakrishnan, relative of former National List MP V. Radhakrishnan (2006), Dinesh Dodangoda, through political affiliations in 2006 and K.K. Paranavithane (2006).

Karunathilaka also detailed the disbursements as; over Rs. 73 million in 2005, over Rs. 75 million in 2006, over Rs. 33 million for 42 individuals in 2007, over Rs. 11 million for 18 persons in 2008, over Rs. 3 million to four persons in 2009, over Rs. 3 million to three people in 2010, over Rs. 1 million to two individuals in 2011, over Rs. 3 million for two persons in 2012 and over Rs. 400,000 to one person in 2014.

“It has been proven that money from the President’s Fund had been used by children and relatives of Presidents, Ministers and MPs in the past,” Karunathilaka told Parliament.

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