Health Ministry sees sharp turn around

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Health Ministry, one of the state ministries which handles the largest amount of funds, has achieved the best financial discipline in 2011.

This has been done under the guidance of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena who implemented directives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a ministry spokesman said.

"Minister Sirisena had consulted President Rajapaksa and obtained his advice on how to achieve this result.

"The minister implemented a strict financial policy to cut down losses and prevent corruption. Recommendations of the committees appointed by the Finance Ministry and the Health Ministry were implemented to achieve better financial discipline. Minister Sirisena also appointed former Auditor General Gamini Epa as the Health Ministry's financial consultant," he said. Around 40 tenders are opened by Health Ministry officials daily. This is one of the highest number of tenders opened at a single ministry per day.

The Health Ministry receives a large amount of funds from the government and International Non Governmental Organizations (INGOs). The government allocated Rs 90 billion for the ministry and the amount was increased to Rs 108 billion this year, he said.

"The ministry was beset with severe financial irregularities, corruption and malpractices before Minister Sirisena was appointed as the health minister.

The State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) and the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) which function under the purview of the ministry were running at a loss.

These state institutions are making profits," he added.