The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I support the adjournment moved by our colleague Hon. Kabir Hashim regarding the Sabaragamuwa Governor, and I wish to use this opportunity to highlight similar misconduct by the Northern Province Governor.

¶ 02 A person named Vethanayagan, who served as Jaffna GA from 2020–2022 and is now Governor, is linked to a Rs. 40 million fraud in the Northern Province. A fraudulent account was opened at Commercial Bank and funds deposited. I have clearly stated this earlier and submitted the report to our Committee Chairman Hon. Chandrasekar. Those involved—Dr. Ketheeswaran and Dr. Sathiyamoorthy among others—were summoned by the Governor and pressured to cover up the hospital corruption. This happened in 2021 when he was GA. Now he is Governor. The fraud occurred at Point Pedro Base Hospital. I have provided reports to you. Hon. Minister Chandrasekar, if you want to serve the North fairly, please take up this matter for inquiry. If, instead, you and the Governor collude with the officials I named, your parliamentary time will be short.

¶ 03 [Certain remarks were ordered to be expunged by the Chair.]

¶ 04 Evidence has been provided, including letters indicating that certain officers cannot work under the Governor due to improper conduct. Copies were given to you. At present, in the Northern Province, three people chair the DCC at the top. We are minor figures below them. With such persons chairing DCC meetings, what can we achieve? People proclaim “no corruption,” yet they act with the corrupt. I conclude by urging action.