An internal audit of an irrigated agriculture project implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture has revealed that there has been a financial fraud of about Rs.90 million related to various purchases.
The audit report has shown that most of these irregularities occurred in the Kurunegala District Project Office in the North-Western Province. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera who paid close attention to this matter, had given instructions to Ministry officials to seal and close this district office and to conduct an immediate investigation.
It is reported that nearly two months have passed since the Minister gave these instructions, but till now Agriculture Ministry authorities have not begun an investigation and the Minister has blamed officials in this regard.