The Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into a missing consignment of school textbooks and activity books valued at approximately Rs. 800,000 that failed to reach distribution centers in the Eastern Province.
The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has initiated a formal probe into the disappearance of educational materials from the Department of Educational Publications. Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewe confirmed the investigation following an event on August 14, noting that a police complaint has also been filed regarding the incident.
The missing stock comprises 19,892 Grade 1 Tamil-language activity books and textbooks that were held at the Isurupaya premises of the Ministry of Education. According to an official complaint lodged with Thalangama Police on August 12, the materials valued at approximately Rs. 800,000 were not properly handed over to the designated distribution center as required.
A private transport company operating under contract with the Department of Educational Publications was responsible for delivering the textbooks to twelve distribution centers across the Eastern Province. The company had obtained authorization on May 4 to transport the books, but the materials were never distributed to their intended destinations. The Ministry has announced that it will pursue recovery of the stock's value from the contracted transport company.
