Former Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has issued a statement defending his decision to withdraw 500,000 rupees from the President’s Fund in 2014, explaining that it was for urgent medical treatment following a heart attack. The funds were used to cover the cost of a stent surgery, which he underwent after a serious health emergency.
Nanayakkara refuted allegations that the money was misused, clarifying that despite using his personal savings and receiving contributions from family members, there was still a shortfall of 500,000 rupees. He sought assistance from the President’s Fund to meet the gap.
The former minister took issue with Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who revealed a list of politicians who had received money from the President’s Fund. Nanayakkara criticized Jayatissa for implying that the funds were misused and explained that as a long-serving public figure who had retired from the legal profession in 1980 to dedicate his life to politics, it seemed more reasonable to request assistance from the President’s Fund than to rely on wealthy individuals for such a critical health matter.
He further elaborated that the surgery was an emergency procedure that could not be covered by his political party at short notice, and it was performed at Asiri Surgical Hospital following his doctor’s recommendation. The former minister emphasized that the financial help he received was necessary for his immediate health needs and was not an act of misuse.
