Probe into Veterinarian Research Institute irregularities – Minister
Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said an investigation will be carried out to find out why the Veterinarian Research Institute which earns a lot of income and falls under the Department of Animal Production and Health had not been subject to an audit for many years.
The minister made this comment in response to an inquiry raised regarding what action will be taken in connection with the financial fraud of Rs.15 million at the Veterinarian Research Institute.
Minister Amaraweera said that as of now an investigation has been launched at institutional level regarding the financial fraud and that the services of the officer allegedly involved has been suspended temporarily and that the Criminal Investigation Department is also conducting an investigation into the matter.
He said that there is an internal audit unit in the Department of Animal Production and Health and it is questionable as to what they had been doing over a period of many years while this type of a financial fraud had been taking place.