The draft rules of the Central Cultural Fund are handed over to the Prime Minister
The draft rules to be introduced under the Central Cultural Fund Act No. 57 of 1980 were handed over to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa by the Chairman of the Committee Mr. G.L.W. Samarasinghe and other members of the committee at Temple Trees yesterday (02).
The relevant committee was appointed on 16th September 2020 by the Secretary to the Ministry Prof. Kapila Gunawardena on the instructions of the Minister of Buddha Sasana Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa pointed out that it is very important to introduce these rules to prevent further misappropriation of funds such as large scale misappropriation of funds by the Minister in charge of the subject during the previous government. He said that it would be beneficial for the country to formulate a system to limit the spending of money at the discretion of the Minister in charge of the subject.
Advisor to the Prime Minister (Public Relations) Mr. G.L.W. Samarasinghe acted as the Chairman of the Committee and Mr. Vijitha Nanda Kumara Additional Secretary, Ministry of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Mr.Ganesh Dharmawardena Public Trustee and Mr. W. Dharmadasa Director (Administration and Human Development), Central Cultural Fund were the other members of the committee.
The Chief Administrative Officer shall, on the recommendation of the Director-General, appoint a committee of experts to assist the Director-General and the Chief Administrative Officer in the exercise of the powers and other functions of the Fund. The draft contains 16 key rules, including the ability of the Chief Administrative Officer to review it from time to time and make amendments if necessary.
Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Anura Dissanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Prof. Kapila Gunawardena, and members of the committee including the Chairman and Advisor (Public Relations) to the Prime Minister Mr. G.L.W. Samarasinghe were present at the occasion.