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Ex-COPE chief calls for punitive surcharge

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Prof. Chaitha Herath expressing serious concerns about some state enterprises trying to manipulate government procedures at the expense of public sector financial discipline.

Litro legal wrangle:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Former Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Prof. Charitha Herath has said the government is duty bound to prevent questionable actions of those who are at the helm of public sector enterprises.

The MP has suggested that those responsible for such actions be made to compensate the relevant enterprise for losses they cause.

Addressing the members of the Sri Lanka Audit Services Association at its 63rd AGM held at the Waters Edge, Battaramulla, early this week, Prof. Herath revealed that the state-owned Litro Gas had resorted to legal action at a cost of approximately Rs 20 mn in a bid to prevent the Auditor General’s scrutiny of its transactions.

Prof. Herath said that Litro shouldn’t be allowed to avoid government supervision under any circumstances.

If necessary laws had been available, a surcharge could have been imposed on those responsible, Prof. Herath said.

Pointing out that the Litro management had moved the Supreme Court in a bid to block the Auditor General, Prof. Herath said 99 percent of the shares of Litro were held by the State-owned Sri Lanka Insurance Company (SLIC).

During the first session of the 9th Parliament, the COPE inquired into the circumstances under which Litro had avoided the State auditing process for nearly two years.

Prof. Herath said: “We were finally able to defeat their attempt. Auditing resumed after the change at the top.”

In July last year, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa brought in Theshara Jayasinghe as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Litro. The Viyathmaga activist succeeded Anil Koswatte. Subsequent to the change at the top, a comprehensive audit that had been undertaken on the instructions of Auditor General WPC Wickremaratne recently revealed the amounts categorised as legal fees. Among those whose services had been obtained were Romesh de Silva, PC and Sanjeeva Jayawardena, PC, Chairman of the Monetary Board Risk Oversight Committee, in addition to being the Chairman of the Ethics Committee of the Central Bank.

MP Herath alleged that a despicable attempt had been made to make use of a line or two in the Constitution to deprive the AG of the right to audit the profit-making enterprise.

Prof. Herath asked whether some heads of public enterprises acted outside the purview of the top political authority. MP Herath called for legal provision for recovering losses due to questionable decisions taken by those at the helm of such enterprises.

The UNP-led yahapalana government rejected government auditors’ plea for provision in the National Audit Bill (NAB) to recover losses caused by questionable actions. The Parliament endorsed the NAB in early July 2018 after the removal of proposed provisions as regards surcharge.

Prof. Herath paid a glowing tribute to government auditors for accepting the challenge as well as the difficult task of maintaining financial discipline regardless of threats. The former COPE Chief acknowledged that the auditors faced intimidations, pressure as well as threats from decision makers at the highest levels of the government as well as those involved in corruption.

The National List MP pointed out that as the audit service hadn’t been accommodated within any ministry, governments tend to ignore the difficulties experienced by them. The MP stressed that the auditors served the State and not any particular government formed by a political party or an alliance.

MP Herath explained how institutions that had been independent were gradually brought under ministries over the years leaving the Parliament and the Auditor General as the only ones outside the purview of ministers. According to the former COPE Chief Litro wasn’t the only enterprise that had declared that the parliamentary watchdog committee as well as the Auditor General did not have any authority to scrutinise their transactions.



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“Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” continues in the vicinity of the President’s office

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The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.

The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.

This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14]  and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.

Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.

In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.

[PMD]

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French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ sets sail from Colombo

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The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).

The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.

During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.

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“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital

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Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.

Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.

A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.

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