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WHO post routine and for country, but Rs. 6.7mn spent on Rajitha’s show
View(s):The title that Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne was granted last year for “being elected” Vice Chairman of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is not a national honour despite Rs 6.7mn having been spent on a ceremony to confer it upon him, officials said.
The WHO’s four Vice Chairmen posts are also granted to countries–not individuals–following a principle of rotation among geographical regions. It is Sri Lanka, therefore, that received the position, while Minister Senaratne was the representative nominated by his country to serve in that rank.
This week, Parliament was told that Rs 6.7mn was spent in July last year for a felicitation ceremony to award Minister Senaratne the title of “Suwapathi Kirula”. The function at Nelum Pokuna Theatre was held in aid of the politician being “unanimously elected” as WHO Vice Chairman in May 2018.
However, the title is not a gazetted one, officials said. And the election at the WHO is usually based on consensus between member-states, with positions being bestowed upon countries according to their turn.
“The Board shall elect its officers, viz. a Chairman, four Vice-Chairmen and one Rapporteur, from among its members each year at its first session after the Health Assembly, following a principle of rotation among geographical regions,” the WHO rules of procedure say. “These officers shall hold office until their successors are elected. The Chairman shall not become eligible for re-election until two years have elapsed since he ceased to hold office.”
The total sum spent on the function was Rs 6,766,750. It was organised by the Sri Lanka Health Services Trade Union Confederation under the patronage of the Ministry of Health and the WHO.
Parliament was told that WHO had spent Rs 1,584,950 on the event. Thriposa Limited paid Rs 140,000, the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol granted Rs 1,000,000, the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation granted Rs 999,975, Laugfs Life Science private company gifted Rs 500,000, the State Pharmaceutical Corporation released Rs 1,000,000 and trade unions gave Rs 1,541,825.