Former Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has denied allegations that he misused public funds by obtaining money from the President’s Fund, clarifying that the funds were used for a medical emergency.
In a statement, Nanayakkara explained that he received Rs. 500,000 from the President’s Fund in 2014 to cover a stent surgery following a heart condition.
He noted that, despite using personal income and contributions from family members, he still fell short of Rs. 500,000 and sought assistance from the fund.
Nanayakkara criticized Minister Nalinda Jayathissa, who had disclosed a list of politicians who had accessed the President’s Fund, accusing him of deliberately omitting the specific amount Nanayakkara received.
He alleged that this omission was intended to mislead the public into believing he had borrowed a large sum, as some other politicians had.
Nanayakkara explaining further, said that as a dedicated politician who resigned from a legal career in 1980 to serve the public, he considered it reasonable to request such assistance rather than seeking help from wealthy individuals.
He also explained that the surgery, performed at Asiri Surgical Hospital on his doctor’s recommendation, was an urgent procedure for which his political party could not arrange funds on short notice. (Newswire)