Corruption and cronyism could hobble aid effort says Muralitharan

TRINCOMALEE - Sri Lankan cricket star Muttiah Muralitharan, an ambassador for the UN's World Food Programme, has warned the Government and donor community to guard against corruption and political favouritism as aid is distributed to tsunami victims.

Muralitharan, who has been closely involved in the relief operation, personally securing vehicles to send WFP food to disaster victims, is worried that much-needed aid could be siphoned off for personal gain by corrupt administrators if precautions are not taken.

"I'm concerned about corruption. The food aid won't last long and it's vital that what we have been given is used responsibly."

The 32-year-old cricketer, a Tamil who is a national icon to both Tamils and Sinhalese, is also concerned about political favouritism after visiting three emergency camps in the east coast district of Trincomalee with fellow cricketers Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

The trio led a 10-truck convoy from Colombo carrying 100 tonnes of sugar, rice and lentils, oversaw the aid's distribution and talked with victims. 

"I have come here as an WFP ambassador to try and understand what is happening," said Muralitharan. " All the cricketers in this country are totally committed to helping our people.

"My concern, apart from possible corruption, is that distrust between ethnic and religious communities is hampering the distribution of the aid, which is now in the stores.

"There seem to be problems in getting the aid from the Government stores to some of the people. The WFP and the Government need to talk and work out solutions. Using WFP volunteers to monitor distribution might be a good idea.

"It is essential that Sri Lanka unites over this crisis - if we can't, what hope is there of ever rebuilding this country?"

- REUTERS