Rupees one billion lost annually due to corruption: Minister

The country was deprived of about one billion rupees annually due to inefficiency, corruption of Government officials, Minister Vajira Abeywardena told the Secretaries of Ministries in Colombo recently.

He said that negligence of guidelines and in instructions issued in circulars, unlawful and fraudulent deeds in the execution of service by Government officials had led to these losses.

“Who has issued the fake passport to Makandure Madush, who is now under Police custody is not revealed,” he said.

He said that although a majority of Government Servants were devoted to their duties, a few corrupt officials brought disrepute to the service.

At the end of the meeting, it was decided to submit a report to the President, and the Prime Minister about the prevailing state of the Public Service.