News

Dinesh admits Parliament yet to address longstanding issue

Published

4 years ago

2022/02/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dereliction of duty in public sector:

Auditor General suggests remedial measures to punish culprits

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Auditor General W. P. C. Wickramaratne says the National Audit Act and the Standing Orders 120 and 121 of the Parliament should be amended to curb waste, corruption and irregularities in the public sector.

Wickramaratne emphasised the urgent need to address the issue at hand as the country experienced the worst-ever post-independence economic downturn.

Wickramaratne said that he had recently discussed ways and means of addressing the issue with the chairmen of the two parliamentary watchdog committees, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) headed by Prof. Charitha Herath and Prof. Tissa Vitharana, respectively.

The AG said so when The Island sought his response to Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena’s recent admission in Parliament that recommendations made by the watchdog committees as well as the Committee on Public Petitions hadn’t been carried out by officials. The Education Minister, who is also the leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP), blamed the crisis on the inadequacy of constitutional and legal powers in place.

Minister Gunawardena acknowledged that in spite of the issue at hand being raised in Parliament on many occasions, it hadn’t been addressed. He said so when some members of the Committee on Public Petitions complained about the failure on the part of the officials to carry out specific recommendations.

AG Wickramaratne said that his Department could take action in that regard if the watchdog committees made specific recommendations in respect of the surcharge. However, both the National Audit Act and Standing Orders 120 and 121 should be amended to provide the required authority to the Auditor General, Wickramaratne said.

Responding to another query, AG Wickramaratne stressed that the Secretaries to the Ministries in their capacity as the Chief Accounting Officers were responsible for implementing the recommendations made by the watchdog committees. The watchdog committees summoned state sector enterprises on the basis of reports prepared by competent officers of the AG’s Department, Wickramaratne said.

“We, too, participate in the proceedings chaired by Chairmen of the watchdog committees. Therefore, the findings cannot be disputed by any party. What the watchdog committees regularly issue is information that can be the basis for legal proceedings,” the Auditor General said.

Wickramaratne received the appointment as the AG in April 2019. According to Wickramaratne, the AG’s Department could impose surcharge on Local Government authorities therefore it would be quite important to expand the scope of their authority. The AG reiterated his concerns over their failure to secure parliamentary approval for the National Audit Bill in its original form.

The Parliament passed the National Audit Bill with amendments in early July 2018. Unfortunately, the provisions relating to the proposed surcharge et al had been deleted in spite of determined efforts made by the AG’s Department during the tenure of Gamini Wijesinha to have the Bill enacted in its original form.

Wickramaratne emphasised the urgent need to strengthen the state sector revenue collection process while tough measures were taken in respect of those who caused losses to the State.

He explained how the enactment of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution in Oct 2020 further weakened the overall state auditing process much to the dismay of his department. The forthright official called for enhancement of revenue collection measures, consolidation of state revenue and necessary amendments to face the daunting economic challenges.

Making reference to COPA reports based on AG’s Department findings, Wickramaratne said that it wouldn’t be too hard to recognize the longstanding shortcomings and the lapses. COPA Chairman Prof. Vitharana explained the far reaching changes required to streamline the Customs, the Inland Revenue and the Exercise Departments key institutions responsible for state revenue collection.

Minister Gunawardena has told members of the Committee on Public Accounts that they should look into the matter as successive Parliaments failed to take remedial measures. The Colombo District lawmaker said that they had discussed this matter with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and his intervention was being sought to address the issue.

A statement issued by Minister Gunawardena’s Office, quoted the Chief Government Whip as having told members of the Committee on Public Petitions: “The issue raised by you has been raised, discussed and deliberated in every parliament though remedial measures weren’t taken. This issue is connected to the Constitution. We expect public servants to implement relevant recommendations in terms of the powers exercised by them. It should be done. If public servants leave without reaching consensus what can be done.”

MP Charitha Herath on a number of occasions told The Island of the need to take punitive measures against those who deprived the government of revenue. The SLPP National List MP said that the national economy was in such bad shape that urgent measures were required to stabilize the economy badly hit by the Covid-19 eruption.

All News Advertisement

News

Prime Minister Attends the 40th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre

Published

7 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya attended the special ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre (SNECC), along with the 75th birthday of its Secretary General, the Chief Incumbent of Sri Mahindaramaya, Ethul Kotte, the Chief Sangha Nayake of the Western Province, and scholar Ven. Meegahathenna Chandrasiri Thero.

The primary objective of the event was to appreciate the service rendered by the Sri Lanka Nippon Educational and Cultural Centre, which has functioned as a bridge between Japan and Sri Lanka since 1986, contributing significantly to the development and welfare of children in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister stated that the social service carried out by Ven. Meegahathenna Chandrasiri Thero through the Nippon Centre, aimed at fulfilling the educational aspirations of Sri Lankan children, is highly commendable. She further emphasized that the Centre’s contribution to nurturing skilled children into disciplined and responsible citizens, as well as strengthening cultural ties between the two countries, is appreciated by the Government.

Over the past four decades, thousands of students have benefited from the “Nippon Scholarship” programme implemented by the Centre. In addition to providing school supplies, monthly financial assistance, medical support, and spectacles, the programme offers Japanese language education and guidance for employment and training opportunities in Japan for Sri Lankan youth. Annual study tours to Japan and collaborative programmes organized to enhance mutual understanding between students of the two countries were also highlighted at the event.

Marking this special occasion, the Prime Minister extended her best wishes to Ven. Meegahathenna Chandrasiri Thero on his 75th birthday and wished him continued strength to successfully carry forward this invaluable service.

The event was attended by the Mayor of Kotte, Arosha Atapattu, representatives of sponsoring organizations from Japan, scholarship recipients, and other distinguished guests.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

Navy’s latest addition P 628 sails for Colombo from Baltimore

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

The Offshore Patrol Vessel P 628, which was formally handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy by the U.S. Coast Guard in December 2025, departed for Sri Lanka from Baltimore, United States on 20th February 2026. The home bound journey began, after the modernization work of the ship to suit the operational needs of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The EX-United States Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC Decisive was officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy on 02 Dec 25, as the latest addition to the SLN fleet under the Pennant Number P 628. Upon her arrival in Sri Lanka, the ship is scheduled to be formally commissioned into the fleet.

Measuring 64 metres in length, this ‘B-Type Reliance Class 210-foot Cutter’ is equipped with advanced technological systems and facilities, capable of conducting extensive surveillance operations spanning up to 6,000 nautical miles per patrol.

The vessel’s voyage to Colombo is historic, possibly marking the longest-ever passage undertaken by a Sri Lanka Navy ship. Covering approximately 14,775 nautical miles, the journey will see the P 628 navigate from Baltimore through the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal (a first for a Sri Lankan naval vessel), the Pacific Ocean, and into the Indian Ocean via the Straits of Malacca. The ship is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka during the first week of May 2026.

During the transit, the P 628 is scheduled to make port calls to replenish supplies and services, providing opportunities to further strengthen diplomatic ties with partner nations.

This transfer represents the fourth vessel provided to the Sri Lanka Navy by the United States Coast Guard, reinforcing a long-standing partnership aimed at addressing common maritime challenges.

News

Commander of the Navy attends International Fleet Review

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

The 13th edition of the multilateral naval exercise MILAN hosted by the Indian Navy, is being held from 18 to 26 Feb 26, at Visakhapatnam and in the waters of the Bay of Bengal.

SLNS Sagara and Nandimithra represented the Sri Lanka Navy by participating in the International Fleet Review (IFR), a major component of this multilateral naval exercise, held on 18 Feb.

The event was attended by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, at the invitation of the Chief of the Naval Staff of India, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. The President of India reviewed the IFR, participated by the warships representing regional and global navies.

Held under the theme “United Through Oceans and the spirit of Camaraderie Cohesion Collaboration,” IFR and MILAN-26 provide a vital platform for participating nations. The participation of the Sri Lanka Navy in the MILAN-26 multilateral naval exercise highlighted Sri Lanka’s commitment to advancing its maritime interests and addressing shared challenges through enhanced cooperation with other nations and institutions, grounded in mutual understanding.

Furthermore, participation in endeavours of this nature will strengthen mutual cooperation and interoperability with other maritime stakeholders. It will also provide the Sri Lanka Navy with valuable opportunities to gain new knowledge, strategic acumen, and operational experience, key elements in fostering a collective approach to maritime security.

During this visit, the Navy Commander engaged in bilateral discussions with regional and extra-regional diplomatic representatives and these strategic-level talks focused on matters of mutual interest pertaining to Sri Lanka’s maritime security and stability.