The Free Lawyers Organization, in a statement, says that information has been reported indicating that an additional payment of slightly less than Rs. 500 billion has been made through the Welfare Benefits Board.
The organization further states that an investigation should be conducted through Parliament regarding this additional payment.
Addressing a letter to the Speaker of Parliament, the Free Lawyers Organization emphasizes that the misuse of public funds without a system of checks and balances constitutes a crime, corruption, and fraud. They further stress that under Article 148 of the Constitution, which grants Parliament financial authority, answers to the following questions must be obtained immediately:
- Out of approximately 1.8 million families who were supposed to receive payments in April, how many received excess payments or double payments?
- Has an investigation been initiated regarding double payments in the districts of Kegalle, Monaragala, and Kurunegala?
- What is the total number of beneficiaries who have received double payments or additional/extra payments beyond the prescribed amount?
- What is the total amount of money that has been irresponsibly disbursed to Aswesuma beneficiaries without proper verification?
- Who are the officials who made these payments outside the financial authority procedures of the Welfare Benefits Board?
- Who are the officials/commissioners appointed on political basis to the Welfare Benefits Board?
- Has a formal investigation been conducted under a competent authority regarding this large-scale waste, misappropriation, or corruption involving political appointees?
- Were financial powers under FR 135 delegated to the officials involved in this process? If so, who authorized it?
- Has the Treasury conducted an initial investigation into the release of these additional funds? If so, have responsible treasury officials been identified?
- If not, is this another hacking incident, a mistake, or the result of inexperienced political appointments lacking administrative knowledge within the Ministry of Finance and the Treasury?
The full letter submitted to the Speaker is as follows:
Subject: Regarding the disappearance of Rs. 500 billion in Aswesuma funds
06 May 2026
Hon. Speaker,
Parliament of Sri Lanka,
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
Hon. Speaker,
We request that Parliament conduct an investigation into the issue of double/additional payments made to Aswesuma beneficiaries.
On 22 April 2026 at 9:23 a.m., we lodged a complaint to your email address ([email protected]) regarding the disappearance of USD 2.5 million from the Treasury. We regret to note that, in accordance with Public Administration Circular No. 27/2023 (29.12.2023) regarding handling of letters and emails from the public and other institutions, no response has yet been received.
Meanwhile, we have received reports of an incident involving an additional payment of slightly less than Rs. 500 billion through the Welfare Benefits Board.
Similar to the disappearance of USD 2.5 million from the Treasury, double or excess payments made to Aswesuma beneficiaries reflect the current breakdown, confusion, and irresponsibility in public financial management.
In April 2026, payments were scheduled for approximately 1.73 million families. Among them, some beneficiaries received double payments, while others received bonus payments exceeding the approved amount.
The total amount released by the Treasury and disbursed through the Welfare Benefits Board was slightly less than Rs. 500 billion. This has occurred without adherence to financial regulations, without accountability, and outside institutional procedures. The absence of checks and balances clearly indicates criminal misuse, corruption, and fraud.
Therefore, under Article 148 of the Constitution, which grants Parliament financial authority, the Free Lawyers Organization strongly demands answers to the following questions:
(Questions 1–10 as listed above)
The ongoing issues of Treasury mismanagement, irregular payments by the Welfare Benefits Board, and double payments by the Road Development Authority indicate a serious breakdown in public financial management. Since these weaknesses are now exposed internationally, we emphasize that the Treasury should be placed under the supervision of a senior experienced administrative officer.
We also urge that, when recovering disbursed funds, extremely poor beneficiaries should not be burdened harshly, and recovery should be done in installments.
We further request that both government and opposition Members of Parliament be informed so that they may act under their constitutional financial authority.
We expect urgent action in this regard.
Yours faithfully,
President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne / Attorney-at-Law Athula de Silva / Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon
For the Free Lawyers Organization
Copies to:
All Hon. Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka
