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Gifts, grants to Education sector diverted to private institutions by previous government: AVK
View(s):Tensions rose between the present and former Education Ministers in Parliament this week, over donations made to the Ministry.
Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam charged that, donations and gifts given to the Education Ministry of the previous government, to be distributed to State-run schools, have been distributed to private education institutions affiliated to former President Rajapaksa’s family.
Minister Kariyawasam said a large number of pianos donated to the Education Minister has been given to the former First Lady’s Office and distributed to Carlton preschools.
“The previous government not only used the donations for Education for their private work, but also wanted their names on buildings built on loans. Technology laboratories were built on loans and the public are still paying the loans with interests. However, some politicians still insist on installing name boards with ‘Mahindodaya’ on it. The name board itself costs about Rs 100,000. The present Government would not use any politician’s name as a matter of policy,” he said.
In reply, former Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that he had personally visited the Republic of Korea and requested the UNESCO for financial assistance.
The former Minister also listed the amounts he received to introduce the Technology stream, build smart classrooms, Technology Labs, and develop schools in the North and East.
“The donations and support of over Rs 1,755 million received from Korea was a gift, and not a loan,” Mr Gunewardena said.
“Just because you went there (Korea) doesn’t mean donations were given to Bandula Gunawardena, but to the country’s Education sector,” the Minister responded.
An angry Mr Gunewardena replied that the present Minister will never in his lifetime be able to collect this amount of donations to the State Education sector.