A face-to-face meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa took place yesterday (28) at the Presidential Secretariat. The discussion was held during the meeting of the Governing Council of the President’s Fund for the year 2025, presided over by President Dissanayake.
During the session, the Governing Council approved the expansion of the President’s Fund’s activities to the village level, aiming to enhance service delivery through the Divisional Secretariat. The initiative is designed to provide greater benefits to patients in need.
Key discussions focused on formulating strategies to maximize the efficiency of the President’s Fund, ensuring its benefits reach the public more effectively. Additionally, new proposals were reviewed, and existing challenges were identified, along with potential solutions.
One of the critical issues addressed was the large number of patients awaiting surgeries in government hospitals. The meeting explored the feasibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours as a solution. It was proposed that staff engaging in these services receive an incentive allowance from the President’s Fund. Currently, this system is implemented at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, and discussions were held on extending it to the National Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, and Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital.
The meeting also examined the expansion of educational support provided by the President’s Fund. Plans were discussed to introduce new programs targeting students preparing for the GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations while continuing existing educational assistance initiatives.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Secretary to the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Professor J.R.P. Jayakody, former Auditor General MP Sarath Chandrasiri Mayadunne, and several senior officials of the President’s Fund.
