Official allegedly misappropriates Aswesuma allowance; investigations launched

Investigations are underway regarding a suspected fraud linked to the distribution of the ‘Aswesuma’ allowance in the Kataragama Divisional Secretariat. Prageeth Kulathilaka, the Kataragama Divisional Secretary, has filed a complaint with the Kataragama Police. He claims that an official from the Kataragama Divisional Secretariat is believed to have misused the allowance meant for a beneficiary. A resident from Kataragama contacted the Divisional Secretary by phone, reporting that the allowance that was supposed to be paid to him had been illegally taken by a Secretariat officer. Follow-up inquiries showed that the total allowance owed to the complainant, which includes arrears from 2023, had been deposited into a bank account in his name at the Alawwa branch of a private bank. The Divisional Secretary noted that the account was opened using the beneficiary's National Identity Card (NIC) number. He added that the bank branch had been notified and asked to temporarily freeze the account, as initial findings suggest potential financial fraud. A formal investigation will be carried out in the future. He also urged the Kataragama Police to conduct an official investigation into this matter. As a result, the Kataragama Police have begun further inquiries.