In a recent session of the Parliamentary Committee on Government Accounts (COPA), alarming revelations were brought to light regarding the substantial government spending on Samurdhi officer salaries, without yielding any discernible reduction in poverty rates. 

It was revealed that Rs. 18000 million is spent on the salaries of Samurdhi officials.The disclosure has prompted renewed calls for a strategic reevaluation of fund allocation and utilization to achieve meaningful prosperity enhancement.

State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, who serves as the committee's chairman, emphasized the urgency of redirecting attention towards ensuring the effective utilization of resources aimed at driving prosperity. The minister expressed concerns about the apparent disparity between the allocated funds and the actual impact on poverty alleviation.

Bandula Thilakasiri, the Director General of the Samurdhi Development Department, reported that an extensive sum of 149,000 million rupees was expended last year to address poverty among the populace. Despite this substantial financial commitment, the committee voiced its dissatisfaction with the lack of noticeable progress in lifting people out of poverty, raising questions about the management and implementation of these resources.

A significant point of contention highlighted during the COPA session was the non-payment of pensions to a group of former officials from the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority. The committee expressed its disapproval of this situation and further questioned the delay in implementing a court decision concerning pension payments to these officers. The matter underscored the importance of fulfilling obligations to retired officials who have dedicated their careers to public service.

Additionally, the COPA committee raised concerns regarding the coexistence of the Aswasuma program and the Samurdhi program, suggesting that their merger might streamline efforts and promote better synergy in addressing poverty-related challeng