The Moneragala audit office is investigating a case where nearly 60 lakhs of rupees had been fraudulently drawn on non-existent names of officers said to have been on transfer to the MOH office in Moneragala and hospitals coming under the purview of the Deputy Director of Health in Moneragala.
Investigations revealed though wages had been paid, none had ever been employed at the offices mentioned.
Additionally on a number of occasions salaries were paid for months on end to doctors and employees who had been transferred out of Moneragala.
Investigations revealed festival advances in their names had been fraudulently obtained and that cheques written in their names had later been cancelled. All payments have been approved by the Administrative Officer and cheques written by the Accounts Clerk which had been then signed by the Audit Officer and the Finance Assistant. The cheques had subsequently been cross cancelled.
While investigations were being carried out the Accounts Clerk is said to have given 21 lakhs to the Deputy Director of Health.
The clerk has since been interdicted but no complaint made to the police on the issue.
It is obvious others too were involved in this racket.
On inquiry the Deputy Director of Health K. Siriwardene said as the matter was under investigation, he could not make any comment.
A highly placed official is reported to have said since the money had been returned it was unnecessary to make a police entry. |
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