In the midst of Sri Lanka’s economic turmoil, a new fiasco has emerged within its Health Ministry. Officials revealed to a Public Accounts Committee sub-committee that Rs 31.08 million spent on fingerprint
attendance machines in 2017 is now essentially wasted. These machines, intended to improve efficiency and reduce corruption, are gathering dust because health workers refuse to use them.
The Health Ministry, under scrutiny for alleged waste and mismanagement, is facing questions from the subcommittee led by Maj. Pradeep Undugoda (SLPP). Despite a government directive, 213 machines remain unused, a point of contention in the recent committee meeting.
Additionally, the committee uncovered another blunder: a supplier to Angoda Hospital, contracted by the health ministry, still needs to return overpayments, citing bankruptcy, yet continues to work for the ministry. This situation reveals a need for due diligence in contract management, further highlighting inefficiencies and possible corruption within the ministry during Sri Lanka’s critical economic crisis.
