Govt. paying Dr. Neville Fernando’s loan
(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – The government was paying the Rs. 2.5 billion loan obtained by Dr. Neville Fernando from a state bank, it was revealed at the Presidential Commission Of Inquiry recently.
Giving evidence, health ministry secretary Wasantha Perera admitted that NFTH was still a private hospital and the government was paying the loan obtained by Dr. Fernando including all expenses of the Hospital.
She also admitted that there was a cabinet paper stating that ownership of the NFTH should be given to SAITM for 10 years and any action to take it over should be taken after that period.
A media release by the PCoI also states that the commission had found that a cabinet paper tabled every month reserves Rs. 50 million as monthly maintenance funds for the hospital.
Speaking to a prominent news network in the isle, the media spokesperson of the PCoI – H.K. Rohana had said that Health Services Director – Priyantha Atapattu too has been summoned to testify before the PCoI over covering maintenance of the Neville Fernando Hospital without taking it over to the government.