Govt. reveals status of COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund

Government yesterday said 24% of the COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund has been allocated for COVID-19 mitigation.

Issuing a statement President’s Media Division said with institutional and personal donations and direct deposits the balance of the COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund reached Rs. 1,668,379,121.74 as of 31 October and until yesterday, Rs. 402,190,701 out of the said amount has been allocated/spent. 

The Fund was established on 23 March following a decision taken by the Cabinet of Ministers on 18 March. The management of the Healthcare and Social Security Fund is carried out by a Board of highly skilled professionals representing areas of administration, finance and banking. The Board comprises Ministry Secretaries, Director General of Health Services, audit and banking experts. The Board is headed by the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Prof. W. D. Lakshman. 

“When an institution requires funds for activities related to controlling COVID, with the approval of the committee, the money is spent by the relevant institution in accordance with the Government procurement regulations. Thereafter the Fund reimburses the particular amount,” the statement said. It further said that under ‘no circumstances’ will the committee engage in a direct purchase or direct expenditure. The Accounts Branch of the Presidential Secretariat is entrusted with the responsibility of auditing the Fund and these activities are subjected to comprehensive auditing by the Auditor General.