Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that local government officials have not received a circular regarding the increase in dry ration and cooked meal allowances for disaster victims.
“I have personally made inquiries, but they have not yet received the relevant circular,” Premadasa stated.
Raising the issue in Parliament, Premadasa said that verbal instructions to divisional secretariats are insufficient for implementing regulations.
In response, State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon refuted the allegation, asserting that local government officials were briefed via online meetings to allocate necessary funds.
“There are Rs. 160 million in unutilized funds with local government authorities. Divisional and district secretaries have been briefed on utilizing these funds to help flood-affected communities. Therefore, I cannot accept the claim that divisional secretaries have not been informed, as I have been in communication with them,” Tennakoon said. (Newswire)