COPE Flags Rs. 1.3 Billion Spent by SLBFE on Unplanned Projects
- CNL Reporter
- June 3, 2025
- Political
- COPE
- 0 Comments
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has revealed that the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) spent over Rs. 1.3 billion on two unplanned programmes not included in its 2024 action plan.
More than Rs. 63 million was spent on the ‘Vigamanika Harasara’ programme, which held provincial meetings for migrant association members. Additionally, Rs. 1,259 million was spent on the ‘Glocal Fair’, an island-wide initiative providing services from the Foreign Employment Ministry to communities.
COPE Chair MP Nishantha Samaraweera noted that the Glocal Fair began before receiving Cabinet approval, and questioned the justification for such large spending, given that only Rs. 2 million is typically allocated for such initiatives.
Concerns were also raised over questionable trade stall purchases costing up to Rs. 500,000. The committee criticised the SLBFE for diverting funds from potentially productive programmes to poorly planned events.
