The National Audit Office says that it has been confirmed that the educational qualifications of 363 Samurdhi Development Officers submitted for their appointments were fake.
Of these, 77 have been dismissed and another 20 have resigned on the basis of an agreement to receive compensation, the National Audit Office says.
30 such officers in the Hambantota district, who are serving and retired, have been paid Rs. 195 million, and 4 officers in the Monaragala district have been paid Rs. 40 million.
According to the rules of the Public Service Commission, officers who commit such offenses should be immediately dismissed from service and the money paid to them by the government as salaries and allowances should be recovered. However, the audit report shows that those responsible have not done so.