Fraud of Rs. 15 million at Poultry Research Centre detected

Based on the information that there are financial irregularities in the purchase of chicks from the Karandagolla Central Poultry Research Centre, which is under the control of the Gannoruwa Veterinary Science Research Institute, the payment related to the release of chicks has been taken over by the Veterinary Research Institute. Accordingly, the funds related to the investigations conducted by the Veterinary Science Research Institute as well as the release of chicks from the Karandagolla Chicken Research Centre were made by the officer who was accused of financial fraud of Rs. 15 million. He was temporarily suspended from work.

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera recently visited the Veterinary Research Institute and held a discussion with Dr. Hemali Kotalawala, Director General of the Animal Production and Health Department and Hemal Kotalawala, Director of the Veterinary Research Institute.

During the discussion, the Minister said that there are doubts about the involvement of other people in the organization in this financial fraud, so it should be investigated.

Dr. Kotalawala confirmed that the process related to the financial transactions has been referred to the Veterinary Science Research Institute based on the information that there are some irregularities in the release of chicks from the Karandagolla Central Poultry Research Centre.

She said that the funds allocated to the Veterinary Science Research Institute and the income earned by it is calculated under the overall budget of the Department of Animal Production and Health, and henceforth it is expected to submit a proposal to carry out its transactions separately.