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Minutes of the 95th Meeting of the Country Coordinating Mechanism, Sri Lanka held on 29th August 2013,

at 2.30 pm, at the Conference Room of the Anti Malaria Campaign, Public Health Complex, 555/5,

Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05.

Present: Members. Dr. Palitha Abeykoon - AIDS Foundation of Lanka (Vice Chairman/CCMSL) Dr. Sarath Amunugama - Ministry of Health Dr. S. Deniyage - Director/ AMC Dr. K.N.G. Seneviratna - Director / NPTCCD Ms. Renuka Pieris - Ministry of Education Mr Shirley Tissera - Congress of Religions Dr. Indira Hettiarachchi - ILO Mr. S.E. Majeed - UNICEF Prof. Sanath Lamabadusuriya - Sri Lanka Medical Association Ms. Swarna Kodagoda - Alliance Lanka Mrs Thushara Agus - Family Planning Association Mr. H.A Lakshman - CSDF Mrs. Muriel Nilaweera - Women in Action Mr. D.A.D.N.C. Wimalaratne - Rural & Community Development Association Mr. Chamika Rasintha De Silva - KAP Ms. Priyanthi Kumari - PLDW

Alternate Members. Dr. K Buddhakorala - NSACP Mr. Mahesh Nishsanka - ADIC Observers. Ms. Sylwia Murray - Global Fund

Dr. Pandu Wijerathna - TEDHA Dr Buddika Hapuarachchi - Sarvodaya Dr. M.A. Iffthikar - Project Manager/GFATM/HSS Mr. Saman Kumara - LFA Mr. Pubudu Rupasinghe - LFA Mr. Sathiesh Kumar - FM/GF/MoH Dr. A.D. Ranaweera - AMC

CCMSL Secretariat. Dr. S. Yoganathan - Focal Point CCMSL Mr. Chanaka Walawwatte - Programme Officer /CCMSL Ms. Hirusha Alwis - DEO/CCMSL Excused: Dr. Y.D. Nihal Jayathilaka - S/H, Ministry of Health (Chair /CCMSL) Dr. F.R Mehta - WR WHO Dr. Dayanath Ranathunga - UNAIDS Dr. Sisira Liyanage - Director / NSACP Mr. Pubudu Sumanasekara - Alcohol & Drug Information Centre

Absent: Dr. P.G. Mahipala - Director General of Health, Ministry of Health Dr. N.C. Amarasinghe - Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations Ms. Chandani Wijewardana - Ministry of Finance & Planning

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Proceedings:

The meeting started at 2.30 pm chaired by Dr Palitha Abeykoon, Vice Chair / CCM Sri Lanka as the Chairman

has informed that he will be getting late, and he welcomed all the participants including the observers.

1. Excuses: He mentioned the excuses received.

2. Confirmation of the Minutes of 94th Meeting held on 11th June 2013

The Minutes of the last meeting, 94th meeting held on 11th June 2013, which was circulated to the

members were taken up and adopted as the correct record with the following correction. In Page 12, The

heading “6.5. Presentations by Global Fund officials” should be added to the last Para which include the

presentations by Ms. Maria Cecilia and Ms. Sylwia from GF. The amended minutes were adopted as being

in order- proposed by Dr Majeed and seconded by Ms. Swarna Kodagoda.

3. Matters arising from the Minutes:

Page 3 – 3: Board Meeting.

Mr. Shirley Tissera thanked all CCM members who participated the special meeting and stated that they

had a very successful board meeting, and the Vice Chair thanked Mr. Tissera for facilitating the special

meeting.

Page 8 – 6.1: PSM Training plan

Dr. K. Buddhakorala wanted the CCM to take over the training activity and get the observations of the

Programme Directors. Focal Point suggested the Director GFATM to take over and follow it up.

Page 10 – 6.3: Issuing of ID cards to the Members.

Dr. Palitha Abeykoon informed that IDs of those who submitted their photographs and other details are

ready to be collected from Ms. Hirusha. In fact they had been already handed over and Dr. Palitha thanked

the secretariat staff for the prompt action.

Page 10 – 6.4: Releasing of Three Wheeler.

Ms. Thushara Agus stated that the three wheelers have been released, and the contracts have been signed.

The payment for the people living with HIV also commenced retrospective from the date the project

commenced.

Page 12 – 6.5: Presentations by GF officials. Dr Abeykoon explained what FPM mentioned was how to

streamline the projects and discussed the possibility of getting new grants particularly the interim grants

under Transitional Funding Mechanism for TB.

Agenda item:

4. Feedback from last Oversight Committee Meeting.

Dr. Palitha Abeykoon informed that the last Oversight Committee Meeting was held on 31st July at the

office of the DG and he mentioned the main decisions taken at the meeting.

He pointed out that it was a useful meeting to understand the issues and difficulties the PRs are facing and

PRs also made excellent presentations and he mentioned that the Chair of the Oversight Committee

stressed the need to discuss the big issues like process issues the PRs are facing at the CCM meeting and

the policies that help or hinder some of the activities in the programme. He also mentioned that when we

discuss the small issues we don't have time to discuss about big issues.

He also said that the CCM must represent the issues appropriately to the GF, for them to understand and

appreciate the CCM problems, and ultimately understanding that all three groups LFA, CCM, and GF, are

supposed to go in the same direction, to achieve the same goal, and there must be some integration, and

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coordination of all 3 agencies and to work closely with the PRs. He also said what is discussed must be

properly recorded and the Chairman has to write to GF about the issues they are facing and requesting for

solutions from the GF. He explained this in Sinhala also for the benefit of all the members.

4.1. Oversight minutes Item 3.1 working hours of focal Point CCM.

Mr. Shirley Tissera raised a question regarding the above from Dr. Yoganathan about the working hours of

the focal point and asked whether she is spending 2 hours daily at the secretariat and she replied that she

is supposed spend 1 hour in the morning from 8 am to 9 am in the office and one hour to attend emails and

other work, total of 10 hours per week and it was the agreement when the contract was renewed. But

because she has to spend more time in writing the minutes, replying the emails, and arranging the

meetings during the visits of FPM, now she is spending at least 1 hour per day, two days per week in the

office, and also because other staff come late it is not worth to go to the office daily and stay in the office

alone. She also explained that she has no designated place to sit and work in the secretariat. She further

said that if she is provided with a facility she can stay and work accordingly. At this time Dr. Deniyage

mentioned that he gave the room to share with Dr. Wijekoon, Director GFATM, and she commented that

the room promised was not given and the room which was given was so small to be shared by three people

because it was already being used by Dr. Wijekoon and Dr. Ifthikar, Project Manager – HSS. She also said

she can’t share a room and keep the documents with a PR because of the security reasons and conflict of

interest and she requested the CCM to find another place closer to the CCM secretariat and she pointed

out that there is a room next to the CCM secretariat which is used as stores.

At this time Dr. Sarath Amunugama promised to give a solution for this issue by the next CCM meeting.

However the issue was discussed at length about the requirement of a full time Focal Point and Dr.

Abeykoon expressed that in principle it is very important that the FP has the presence and in charge of the

secretariat and the requirement like space and furniture has to be worked out. His suggestion was

accepted and finally all the members decided to endorse the Oversight Committee decision to appoint a full

time FP to the CCM and to request for fund allocation and approval from GF for this purpose. Yoganathan

said that she is spending more time in writing the minutes and Ms. Thushara suggested Mr. Chanaka to

write the 1st draft of the minutes and the FP to correct it. Dr Abeykoon also said that Ms Sylwia has sent an

email indicating that Mr. Chanaka to make 1st draft and finalize it by Dr. Yoganathan. This was accepted by

all the members and Mr. Chanaka was requested to prepare 1st draft of the CCM meeting minutes.

At this time Dr. Yoganathan said that the post of GFATM Project Director is vacant and Dr. Sarath

Amunugama mentioned that the process is going on and Dr. Sudath is covering up the work as acting

Director and he further said that before the next CCM meeting the selection of Project Director will be

finalized.

4.2. Fixed asset inspection- COJ

Dr. Yoganathan explained that as requested by the Oversight Committee Mr. Sathiesh, Finance Manager

and Mr. Chanaka had visited the site at Ekala Kandana and inspected the items. Mr. Sathiesh was explaining

that they have visited the site on 8th August 2013 from 1.30 to 3.30.pm and the physical inspection was

carried out based on the Fixed Asset list provided by PSI Nepal, worth USD 81, 264.57 and these items were

stored in a container. One staff from Transpack International Shipping (Pvt) Limited was assisting in

identifying the available items and after the physical verification the container was locked with a new seal

box number HA 072660.

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He said that the following items were not physically available (27.6% out of asset list)

Description Asset code Amount(USD)

1. INTEL-Desk Top i3-2100-3.1GHz COJ/GF/01/02/01/01/2011 5,446.80

2. Imation -HDD-Ext-2.5"-ITB COJ/GF/01/02/05/02/2011 5,446.80

3. CANNON- SCANNER-CANOSCAN LIDE 110 COJ/GF/01/02/03/01/2011 5,446.80

4. HP Colour Lazar Jet Printer COJ/GF/01/02/04/01/2011 5,446.80

5. 4 Port Router COJ/GF/01/02/05/04/2011 638.58

22,425.78

He also said that the furniture items worth of USD 34,354.89 are in a usable state and the functioning

of the electric items worth of USD 24,483.9 (30%) could not be verified due to no access to electric power

supply in the existing storage (Container).

Finally he mentioned that this report was already been circulated to the Oversight members with few

photographs.

At this time Ms. Thushara responded to the queries raised by the Vice Chair by saying that these assets

were bought here and were in the possession of COJ and when they have abandoned the project, on the

request of GF, they have stored the items. Also she suggested two options; one is, once the auditing is over

to dispose the assets with the approval of GF and the second is once the appointment of new SR who will

succeed COJ for the regional project, to allow it to the discretion of the SR to say whether they want it or

not. If they do not want the assest, and then sell the items and transfer the funds to GF.

She also mentioned that this audit is very useful as we have it as a document now. Vice Chair thanked Mr.

Sathiesh and Mr. Chanaka for doing the inspection and preparing the report.

It was informed by the FP that the PSI- Nepal is no longer a PR and UNDP is the new PR and have to take

the decision and inform them soon because they don’t have any allocation for the storage after September

2013.

Ms. Thushara said that UNDP has requested to find a new SR to work with them in the South Asia Multi

Country Program. However the members agreed to keep those assets till a new SR is selected and decided

to inform the decision to PSI-Nepal with a copy of the inspection report indicating missing items.

The above discussion was explained in Sinhala to the benefit of other members by the Vice Chair and he

asked for the comments from all the members and finally Ms. Thushara suggested that these items were

stored for more than 1 year and to store the same for another 1-2 months until the new SR is selected, and

it was accepted by all the members.

Then Dr. S. Amunugama raised a question about the issue of missing items, and it was agreed by all to

inform PSI-Nepal and for them to take the decision with the copy of the missing items as PSI-Nepal is

involved with it.

At this time Dr. Majeed highlighted an issue which was discussed at the last Oversight Committee meeting

about the delay in getting approval from GF and he further said that some time whatever request the CCM

is sending to GF for approval are sent back to the PR for further clarifications and when the CCM is sending

them by emails, the emails are not reaching the responsible person and then the action is not taken and

the CCM thinks the delay is due to GF while in reality some of the things are actually on our desks. He

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contended that this is one of the reasons why CCM should have a full time FP, just to firm up these things

and follow up when there is a delay in decision making.

The Vice Chair also confirmed his observations and he further added that Dr. Mahipala was also concerned

about losing the funds due to the delays like these which is possibly approximately 9 mil out of- 12 mil US $

in Phase I which will have very serious implications on Phase 2 also.

Dr. Ifthikar explained that because the GF has given a no cost extension and if GF commit during this period

they will not lose this money, he also further said that they have used only 3 mil out of 12 mil US $.

However Dr. Sarath Amunugama informed that all the constructions they have committed and they are

progressing which is the major part of allocation, and the purchasing of vehicle also they have approved,

and he further informed that the GF has reconsidered their decision when the appeal was made and

managed to explain because there are a lot of construction works going on in Northern Province, there is

delay in different stages and levels and with this the rating also improved.

Further Dr. Iffthikar informed that in Phase I we are not losing any thing and in Phase 2 we applied for 6.2

mil US$ but got only 3 mil US$ and the 9 mil US$ unspent money of Phase I we will be able to use for

constructions by shifting to Phase 2 and approval was received.

Dr. S. Amunugama further said that this is only for HSS project which is a special one because usually

GFATM is not funding constructions, and they have allowed this because of the situation in the Northern

Province. The team had been able to save HSS project funds approximately 9 million US $ and wanted it to

be minuted which is after the observations made at the last Oversight Committee Meeting and the appeals

made thereafter, and now the LFA is making the process fast.

5. HIV Reprogramming request

Dr. Liyanage was not available to make the presentation, and the Vice Chair wanted to know the urgency of

this reprogramming and FP informed the members that this was submitted at the last meeting and because

of the delay in submission and also without necessary information it was not taken up for discussion.

Ms. Swarna Kodagoda mentioned about Ms. Sylwia’s guidelines that any reprogramming should be

submitted with the PUDR and Dr. Palitha Abeykoon read out the instructions given recently by the FPM

regarding Reprogramming.

“Any reprogramming requests should be submitted to the Global Fund at the time of the submission of the

Progress Update (PU) and/or Progress Update/Disbursement Request (PU/DR). We will not be able to

review any ad hoc requests for reprogramming with the exception of some critical/emergency requests.

Please kindly note that as per the “Guidelines for Budgeting in Global Fund Grants” available on our

website

http://www.theglobalfund.org/documents/core/guidelines/Core_BudgetingInGlobalFundGrants_Guideline

_en/) (…) all requests for budget changes should be submitted for the Global Fund approval, and to CCM

for information. The Global Fund could request a CCM to endorse the material budget changes if

necessary. As already previously mentioned and highlighted, all the requests need to be prepared very

thoroughly by the PRs, clearly explaining the reasons for the changes and must be accompanied by a

detailed budget with all the necessary detailed assumptions.”

The Vice Chair questioned whether this HIV request comply with the guideline, Ms. Thushara said as this

was presented in a earlier meeting, and members wanted more clarifications, and as this request came in

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the past and the directions were received after this request was submitted CCM can endorse it like in the

past or if he is not ready we can forward it to the next PUDR. The Vice Chair said that as per the conditions

the CCM does not need to give endorsement and PR can directly send to the GF with copy to the CCM for

information.

At this time Dr. Yoganathan reminded that at the last CCM meeting Ms. Sylwia clearly mentioned that this

is for the value less than 5000 USD, and the requests with the value of more than 5000 USD need to be

discussed at the CCM meeting about the material and the value requested and endorsed by the CCM and

this is minuted in the last minutes.

The Vice Chair asked Mr. Saman, from LFA to provide the information for the reprogramming and he

highlighted the committee about the procedures of the reprogramming request and said it should go with

the PUDR, not like in the past when they identify any saving they submit the request, but now they have to

collect all the requests and submit with the PUDR. He said that if they have not submitted with this PUDR

then they have to wait for the next PUDR.

The Vice Chair commented that since it is too late to give it with this PUDR, and we don’t have all the facts

and he wanted to decide about the procedures and requested the CCM secretariat to follow up with

Director/NSACP or Deputy Director and if it is possible, to accompany the PUDR. Dr. Sarath Amunugama

was also requested to advice and helps to solve this issue.

However Dr. Yoganathan informed that she has already circulated this document to the members to obtain

the endorsement and Ms. Thushara suggested that since the last PUDR was sent very recently and now

being reviewed by LFA, we can still send this to GF to couple with the PUDR.

Finally FP was instructed to speak with LFA and GF and negotiate to couple with PUDR which was sent

recently and if it is necessary to get the e- endorsement from the members because it has been circulated

already, get the endorsement quickly on the basis that silence is taken as consent.

At this time Dr. Majeed raised a question, as it was decided and agreed in the previous meetings whether

any PR who wants to reprogramme the funds should justify what will happen if the original activity is not

carried out, and the Vice Chair stressed and said what is meant by the reprogramming details is that is the

technical component of the request and if that is not there then it is not accepted.

6. Email from FPM:

The Vice Chair tabled the print of the email sent by Ms. Sylwia FPM, and read it out for the information of

the members, she was requesting to consider including the following additional items in the Agenda and to

briefly mention at the CCM meeting and then discuss in depth if necessary at the next Oversight Committee

meeting, and he read out her email,

1. Malaria Program/WHO: follow up on the External Review of the Malaria Program – when the final

report will be submitted?

The Vice Chair asked for clarification from Dr. Deniyage, Director AMC, and he informed that they have

already distributed the External Review evaluation Report, to Ms. Sylwia and others, and Ms. Sylwia wanted

to know whether they have any comments, and since this is an independent report he cannot comment on

their findings and he further said that FPM asked whether they are going to accept the facts and they have

replied as accepting the facts and it is final.

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2. Follow up with the relevant PRs on some critical/strategic Conditions Precedent (CPs) and/or

Special Conditions (SCs), especially

a. Malaria PRs – unfulfilled CP regarding the Revised/Updated National M&E Plan.

Dr. Deniyage said that they are on their way to do some modification of their M & E plan but they have to

wait for the release of External Evaluation Report. He further said that this will take another one month

time. However Dr. Deniyage was requested to do this before FPM’S next visit by end of September 2013.

b. HIV Program – update on the progress on developing the ART Expansion Plan and Opioid

Substitution Therapy Expansion Plan

Dr. Buddhakorala replied by saying that they are following the new WHO guideline published in June 2013,

and at the beginning of the year, WHO gave some directions based on their guide lines, and now they have

to print their own guidelines and it will be ready by end of the year, it is the condition they have put when

the grant was signed.

He also said that - on principle they have decided OST may be for the drug users, but the policy decision

was not made and it was also informed by Dr. Amunugama that it is a pilot project, and only for the IV drug

users and not whole drug users.

3. New Funding Model (NFM) – “I would like to encourage the CCM Members and the PRs to read the

information already available on our website”

http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/activities/fundingmodel/ as well as New Funding Model

Overview

(http://www.theglobalfund.org/Documents/core/newfundingmodel/Core_NewFundingModel_Su

mmary_en/ and Frequently Asked Questions on the New Funding Model

(http://www.theglobalfund.org/Documents/core/newfundingmodel/Core_NewFundingModel_FAQ

_en/ and I will make a more in depth presentation during my upcoming visit (30 September till 9

October inclusive).

It was informed that the Members who are interested can visit the websites and read it because of time

constrains and this will be discussed at the next Oversight Committee meeting.

4. Audit Reports– we noted that some PRs do not submit their Audit Reports as per the due dates.

We would like to kindly remind the CCM and the PRs that as per the Grant Agreement and its

Article 13 on Audits and Records:

“(…) Principal Recipient Audits. The Principal Recipient shall have annual financial audits of

Program revenues and expenditures conducted by an independent auditor. The first period under

audit shall be the first completed fiscal year of the Principal Recipient (as indicated in Block 11 of

the face sheet of this Agreement). However, if the end of the first such fiscal year is less than six

months after the Grant Starting Date, the first period under audit shall be from the Grant Starting

Date until the end of the second such fiscal year.

(…) Audit Reports. The Principal Recipient shall provide to the Global Fund an audit report for

each audit arranged for by the Principal Recipient or a Sub-recipient in accordance with this

Article not later than six months after the period under audit (…).

“Please note we may not be able to process disbursements if the Audit Report is missing”.

Mr. Sathiesh Finance Manager – GFATM - MoH informed that the draft report will be released by the

Auditor General by next week and the reason for delay is because they are going through the TOR of GF for

the 1st time which is 7 pages, and it is taking long time.

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5. Reprogramming- Any reprogramming requests should be submitted to the Global Fund at the time

of the submission of the Progress Update (PU) and/or Progress Update/Disbursement Request

(PU/DR). We will not be able to review any ad hoc requests for reprogramming with the exception

of some critical/emergency requests. Please kindly note that as per the “Guidelines for Budgeting

in Global Fund Grants” available on our website

(http://www.theglobalfund.org/documents/core/guidelines/Core_BudgetingInGlobalFundGrants_

Guideline_en/) (…) all requests for budget changes should be submitted for the Global Fund

approval, and to CCM for information. The Global Fund could request a CCM to endorse the

material budget changes if necessary. As already previously mentioned and highlighted, all the

requests need to be prepared very thoroughly by the PRs, clearly explaining the reasons for the

changes and must be accompanied by a detailed budget with all the necessary detailed

assumptions.

Reprogramming was already discussed and the Vice Chair mentioned that these items will be taken up at

the future Oversight Committee meeting.

7. CCM funding 2013 -15 a pilot project for Strengthening and Systematizing Engagement in the NFM of

KAP and PLDW or affected by all three diseases.

Dr. Yoganathan informed that apart from the normal funds the CCM got another allocation of 50,000 US$

Grant approved for the above activity.

On the request of Vice Chair Ms. Thushara informed that FPA have received the CCM funds and that is the

channeling route for the GF and will transfer it to the CCM account when the request is made and that is

for the functioning of the CCM Secretariat and she further explained the objectives of this new project for

KAP and PLWD under New Funding Model, they have allocated 50,000 as grant, for orientation and for

Capacity Building of these 2 groups, and some training with CCM for them to participate at the CCM

sessions and on new funding model, that is what Sylwia wanted to do with that money because it was

highlighted as their shortcoming, so the both groups can give a draft frame work of the activities what they

are planning to do to the CCM as GF have already sent the funds, and the Vice Chair requested KAP and

PLDW representatives to coordinate with respective constituencies and make an activity plan.

Ms. Thushara further said in Sinhala that this for the langue problem or understanding of the meeting

proceeding, and resources also can be found, but before doing that they have prepare a budget. The Vice

Chair explained this in Sinhala and said there are three members representing these people and Mr

Lakshman was requested to take the responsibility to do this task with the help of FPA or CCM, it is their

choice.

FP explained that if the activity plan is submitted it can be discussed at the next CCM meeting and with the

approval the funds can be released, and it was explained the money is channeled through the FPA bank

account to CCM account and the Vice Chair and Dr. Amunugama requested Ms. Thushara to coordinate and

give them the leadership and she agreed for that, and informed that after the discussion they will forward

the budget.

8. Interim Application for TB under NFM

Dr. Gamini Seneviratne, Director NPTCCD informed the CCM that the process of preparing the proposal for

submission of application has been started after discussing with the PDHS and District MO chest clinics and

Focal points, and identifying the needs to give the continuous care, after the TFM is over.

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The Vice Chair informed him to inform the CCM if he needs any technical support to be arranged, CCM can

help to sort that out or if any problem that he face which CCM can mediate to sort out.

Dr Indira Hettiarachchi informed the members that she has already informed the CCM that when the NFM

is announced that the ILO could consider TB & HIV, co - infections and others also can consider to give

some inputs, and to develop that component, and the possibility of strengthening the capacity of the

health care workers, on prevention of TB HIV co -infection.

And the Vice Chair accepted this saying that the TB & HIV co-infection will be a small but significant

component , and requested her to coordinate with Director, NPTCCD in developing the proposal and Dr.

Gamini said that they are going to do it with the private help but need her help also. Also Ms Swarna said

they are not having sufficient funds for the outreach programmes and to carry out the work at the DOT

Centers which also can be included for additional funding and the Vice Chair asked to send all the ideas by

emails to the Director.

At this time Dr. Sarath Amunugama informed that the MoH have a shortage of PHLTs and to recruit and

train them it will take 2 years and as there is a court case they are not sure when they are going to do this

so there may be a need to have a stop gap mechanism by increasing the Microscopic Assistants both for TB

and Malaria, who are not PHLT, it is a different name, funded by the GFATM, PHLTs are given the training

for 1 yr, but these people will be given a 3 months training, now they are having a problem specially in

Northern Province, and some other peripheral areas where there are no PHLTs to do this microscopy work

in all these programme, specially HIV in some places they are totally depend on these Microscopic

Assistants, and they are working out a number. He made a suggestion that they need to make some

reprogramming with the HSS project for the volunteers who are getting Rs 6000/= per month and to

convert them as Microscopic Assistants and to increase the allowance to Rs25, 000/= and he further said

that the detailed activity plan will be provided later once it is worked out.

Dr. Iffthikar informed that his PUDR for HSS is tomorrow, and he has included this into his PDUR, because

the number of volunteers has come down because they have got permanent appointments in the Northern

Province. But Dr. Amunugama informed that the number is more, something like 300 or so. But Dr. Iffthikar

informed that they gave number as they need 20 Microscopic Assistants. He further said that when they

are talking about the Northern Province they have to think about Malaria, TB and STDs because they are

also not going to get PHLTs for some time and Dr. Iffthikar was asked to contact them and to include the

correct number if he is going to submit PUDR tomorrow.

He further said that this was discussed with Dr Sudath Samaraweera and he was instructed to consider the

number for all three components rather than taking them as volunteers and it is better to take them as

Microscopic Assistants, and to train them by the respective sections and it was informed that it is not only

the number but also the amount of payment has to be increased and the responsibility was given to Dr

iffthikar.

The Vice Chair agreed on principlel and mentioned that this was brought up by Deputy Director AMC at the

last Oversight Meeting and it can go as priority and requested to take action to submit the request when

the FPM will be here at the next meeting.

At this time Dr. Pandu Wijeratne from TEDHA PR2 informed that they are in the final year of the Malaria

Round 8 and they are having lots of issue with staff leaving and with the Grant closure work.

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9. Any other Matters

9. a. Letter from PD/GFATM,

Dr. Palitha Abeykoon tabled a letter received from Dr Wijekoon, PD GFATM indicating a complaint sent by

RDHS Ampara to DGHS regarding PR charging for mosquito nets issued by them. Dr. Deniyage explained the

issue. LLIN bought under GFATM was given to Sarvodaya in Ampara District and according to RDHS Ampara

Sarvodaya sold these nets it seems. Dr. Amunugama informed that they have not sold the nets but seems

have recovered some cost this has happened not only in Ampara but in Polonnaruwa also. Vice Chair tabled

some copies of receipts issued by Sarvodaya and copy of a paper article published regarding this.

Dr. Buddika Hapuarachchi was asked to give a response to this issue and he informed that Sarvodaya have

not sold any nets or not even distributed LLIN in the area they have mentioned. He further said that

Sarvodaya have not received funds for that and they have sent the March PUDR and waiting for funds to

distribute Nets. He also informed that they have appointed a committee to find out about the situation and

the facts about it, and will get the report soon.

Dr. Amunugama raised two questions, one is whether the Sarvodaya was charging any amount for the

distribution of LLIN and the reply was no, and the 2nd is the Health Department staff thinking because of

this issue was raised Sarvodaya is not distributing the nets in Ampara, and Sarvodaya need to have some

discussion with RDHS and come to some consensus about the distribution, because ultimately the people

are suffering because of the dispute.

The Vice Chair commented that the CCM should know about this, because this is referring to GF, and his

explanation is different to what we see here, and Dr. Wijekoon has submitted it to take action by CCM, a

letter from Dr. Senaka Thalagalla RDHS Ampara, who made the complaint, paper article, and a copy of set

of receipts, there may be some misunderstanding or miscommunication in this, position is that Sarvodaya

have not started distributing it. He also said that the CCM can't go beyond this.

The Vice Chair expressed his view that Sarvodaya itself should have an inquiry because they say that they

have not distributed `but because someone has issued the nets and the receipts was given with Sarvodaya’s

name on it and sold it, and a paper article about it. He also suggested the Health Department also should

have a separate inquiry. Dr Amunugama informed that Sarvodaya is an NGO and it is not possible to inquire

into their functions, and instead the department can complain to the police and he said that this was done

by RDHS.

Ms. Thushara suggested it to be discussed at the Oversight Committee, and to meet the people involved

and get the explanation. Thereafter, members decided to take it up at the next Oversight Committee

meeting.

Nominations for the Disease Specific Subcommittee:

At this time Dr. Deniyage nominated three names including Dr Pandu Wijerathna with two new names for

the Malaria Disease Specific Technical Subcommittee members. He mentioned that Dr. Gowri

Galappaththy, and Dr. Supriya Warusawithana, are have gone abroad they need to appoint new members.

Newly nominated members are,

1. Dr. Deepika Fernando

2. Dr. Palitha Abeykoon

Dr. Deniyage further said that they are supposed to submit a new Malaria proposal with the help of

technical support group to get funds to sustain their achievement.

11

9. b. Letter from CSDF regarding Issues they are facing as SR

Mr. Lakshman from CSDF thanked the current PR2 for inviting them for the review meeting with LFA where

they have discussed and sorted out lot of issues and thanked for the support given to them.

Receiving funds for their activities: They have to request the funds about 10 times / month and they

have to request separately for each activity, but when they worked with Sarvodaya they received money

for 3 months, and if they can get the fund like that it will be easy to work.

The practical problems they are facing during implementation of MSM awareness and advocacy

programmes was explained and he wanted the support of the CCM/Government before anything

happened, as this project is by done the government and the organization is implementing it as a

development activity. He also said when working with issues like these to get the expected results may

be difficult.

Bad publicity given by Media: When they are working with GF regarding HIV, MSM group, sex workers,

beach boys, drug users, they have to hold workshops everywhere, condom distribution, and some other

activities are carried out and lot of bad publicity is given for these in the news papers, and other media.

He gave an example of what happened recently in Anuradhapura and ultimately they had to abandon

the workshop.

Risk of Arrest: If there are more than 3 sex workers together they can be arrested as Brothel house, and

with MSM the same thing is happening.

Mr. Mahesh from ADIC said that without any legal reason they come and check for drugs and when they

do that they find no drug but condom and then they will accuse them of this and without any reason will

arrest that person.

They wanted the Ministry of Health to issue a letter indicating that this is part of a National program and

they are implementing it.

Ms. Thushara commented that if any activity is interrupted the whole program will be affected and as

they have taken over the project they have to be prepared in future and if a letter is given it is good.

Another suggestion was to invite the people from the local Media people, and by doing this they will

understand what we are trying to do, and we also will know their ideas, but even if we are getting

negative results we can’t carry out the meeting without media.

Also during the advocacy programme, we have to highlight more about the legal background, the

chances of being arrested, the places they can arrest, the legal implications or effects and the related

issues and should not develop antagonism and angry.

Mrs Swarna Kodagoda described her experiences working with drug users and sex workers

saying that Alliance Lanka used to educate important stakeholders in the project locations

before a project commenced its implementation by working in close association with the

Divisional Secretariat office in the area to mitigate possible threats to project delivery. These

meetings are attended by all stakeholders in the area including Grama niladhari, Health

Officials, Police, Prison officials, Civil Society leaders etc. and it is easier to obtain support from

many officials and leaders in the area during project implementation. It is also cheaper for the

NGOs to use these meetings, which are organized by the DS office.

Suggestions of Vice Chair:

There are 2 issues, 1st the people of MSM group are normal people, it is not an issue, and no right for the

involvement of media, or police, the 2nd one is they misconceuve this is not normal and they should be

educated about this too.

To issue letters by FPA which can be used for each programme