- A special COPE Sub-Committee to look into recent irregularities in the National Youth Service Council and its affiliated institutions
- The former Chairman of the Youth Service Council summoned before COPE to inquire about the issuance of cheques worth Rs. 188 million
- It is clear that the former Chairman of the Youth Service Council influenced the officials – COPE
- COPE confirms that the personal secretary of the former chairman of the Youth Service Council does not have the minimum qualifications for the position
- It is clear that money has been misused for the former president’s presidential campaign – Committee Members
- COPE express dissatisfaction regarding the performance of the then Finance Director
- As public servants, perform your duties properly and ensure your safety – COPE Chair requests from all public officials
A decision was made to appoint a special COPE subcommittee to investigate irregularities that have taken place in the National Youth Services Council and its affiliated institutions in the past.
This decision was taken during a meeting of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), held yesterday (20) at Parliament Chaired by Member of Parliament (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, to review the Auditor General’s reports related to the National Youth Services Council and Sri Lanka Youth Services (Private) Limited for the years 2022 and 2023, the current performance, and the progress of implementing the recommendations made at the meeting of the Committee on Public Enterprises held on November 16, 2021.
COPE had also convened on the 18th to discuss this matter, during which numerous irregularities were disclosed. Accordingly, it was decided to summon the former chairpersons of the National Youth Services Council before COPE for further discussions. These discussions continued yesterday with the participation of the former chairpersons and relevant officials.
During this discussion, several financial irregularities and unethical practices were disclosed. As a result, the COPE Chair decided to appoint a special COPE subcommittee to investigate the irregularities that have taken place in the National Youth Services Council and its affiliated institutions. Accordingly, this special COPE subcommittee was appointed under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Chandima Hettiarachchi, including MPs Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Jagath Manuwarna, Sunil Rajapaksha, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, and (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law, as its members.
The subcommittee is expected to meet in the future, conduct the necessary investigations, and submit a report to COPE.
During the previous discussion, it was affirmed that a sum of approximately Rs. 188 million had been spent for the “Smart Youth Exhibition and Musical Show” and that the relevant cheques had been issued with the signature of the former Chairman of the National Youth Services Council the day before the Presidential Election. Since the former chairman had been summoned for questioning regarding this matter, he was inquired regarding the said. He stated that these payments were made for programs conducted three to four months prior and expressed surprise at claims by the officials that he had pressured them.
A discussion at length was held on this matter, during which the officials pointed out that the former chairman had exerted pressure to certify these cheques between 2 p.m and 5 p.m on the respective date. Accordingly, the Committee pointed out that it is a confirmed fact that the former chairman had exerted influence in this regard.
It was also disclosed that the former Chairman of the National Youth Services Council had appointed a private secretary who did not meet the minimum qualifications required for the position. Officials pointed out that a degree was a mandatory requirement for this appointment. However, when the private secretary was asked to confirm his qualifications, he was unable to do so and subsequently resigned from the position. The private secretary, who was present at the discussion, stated that he was in the process of completing his degree but had not yet completed it. It was also disclosed that post resigning from this position, he had been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Youth Services Council. Furthermore, provincial directors and other officials pointed out that this individual too had exerted influence on officials throughout various activities.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the “Smart Youth Avurudu Festival” organized by the National Youth Services Council. It was disclosed that this program had been implemented without following proper procedures, and the COPE Chair pointed out that it was evident that all these activities had been carried out according to the will of the Chairman of the National Youth Services Council. The committee also questioned the involvement of suppliers in these activities, to which the former Chairman responded stating that he receives a large number of letters and thus forwarded them to the relevant divisions. He also stated that funds had been allocated for these programs by the Presidential Secretariat. However, COPE pointed out that it was evident that these procedures had been conducted in an irregular manner.
The Committee further disclosed that the National Youth Services Council had organized programs in support of the former President’s election campaign. In response, the former Chairman stated that all previously planned programs were halted in accordance with the instructions of the Election Commission and that only the “Smart Fiesta” program, which focused solely on sports, was conducted in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat. However, members of COPE pointed out that the same program had been continued, but only under a different name. It was also disclosed that Rs. 4.3 million had been spent to produce a music program related to the “Smart Fiesta” event but that the National Youth Services Council had not received the corresponding video. The former Chairman, however, stated that the video had been handed over to the National Youth Services Council. COPE, therefore, recommended further investigation into this matter.
Additionally, attention was drawn to the National Youth Poson Zone and youth programmes held in Jaffna and Ampara. The Committee also focused on the involvement of the W. D. Weerasinghe Foundation in these events. Furthermore, discussions were held on the renovation of the Bellwood Aesthetic Centre and the construction of a new building, as well as the implementation of the recommendations provided by COPE in 2021 regarding these matters.
Following extensive discussions, the COPE Chair stated that he was dissatisfied with the manner in which the then Director of Finance had performed his duties. He further emphasized that public servants must fulfill their responsibilities correctly to ensure their own protection.
The following Members of Parliament were present at the Committee meeting held: M.K.M. Aslam, Samanmali Gunasinghe, Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, Sujeewa Dissanayake, (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah, Jagath Manuwarna, Ruwan Mapalagama, Sunil Rajapaksha, Darmapriya Wijesinghe, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, Thilina Samarakoon, Chandima Hettiarachchi, and Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney at Law. (Parliament)