Keheliya lands himself in hot soup again

Recommends ‘dud’ consultants   

• Auditor General informed COPE that a  consultant who was recruited to ANCL in 2020 had been paid Rs. 1.8 million and another  consultant recruited to the Media Ministry had been paid a  consultancy fee of Rs. 900,000 without obtaining any consultations

By Ajith Siriwardana  

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) revealed that two consultants appointed on the recommendation of former Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd and the Media Ministry had been paid Rs. 1.8 million and Rs. 900,000 respectively.  

The Auditor General informed the Committee that a consultant who was recruited to the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd on December 7, 2020 had been paid Rs. 1.8 million and another consultant who had been released to the Media Ministry had been paid a consultancy fee of Rs. 900,000 without obtaining any consultations to the Company.  
This matter came to light during the COPE meeting held recently at the Parliament Complex.

The Media Ministry Secretary was advised to look into the matter and submit a report within two weeks.