The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) on Tuesday said its internal inquiry into allegations against one of its technical officers, who allegedly sought “sexual favours” from one of the organisation’s beneficiaries, would be completed shortly.The officer concerned has gone on leave.

“If the allegation is proved, we will take disciplinary action against him. We will also refer the matter to the police and other authorities for criminal action,” Mahieash Johnney, Senior Manager (Communications & Humanitarian Diplomacy) of the SLRCS, told The Hindu.

The inquiry is being conducted by a panel comprising representatives of the SLRCS and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), with an official from the Indian High Commission serving as an observer.

The allegation was levelled by a Tamil woman in Killinochchi district, which accounts for over 9,000 houses as part of the Indian government-funded housing programme. In total, 50,000 houses have been proposed to be constructed in the country, of which around 34,500 dwelling units have been completed.  The SLRCS is one of the implementing agencies in the programme’s second phase, which is owner driven. A cash grant of LKR 5.5 lakh (Sri Lankan rupee) is released to each beneficiary in phases.  

Johnney explained that the complainant, a divorcee and a mother of two children, has alleged that in return for expeditious process of the release of money, the officer made advances. A High Commission official said the Indian government does not condone such conduct.

(The Hindu)