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Proposed National Audit Act : Towards a clean and efficient public administration

A draft bill will be presented in Parliament shortly for the adoption of a National Audit Act.

The proposed Act is designed to create a clean and efficient public administration in the country, said Buddhasasana, Justice and Law Reform Minister when he addressed the 50th AGM of the Sri Lanka Auditing Service Association held at the Colombo New Town Hall recently.

Minister Lokubandara was the chief guest at this meeting while Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse was the guest of honour.

Mr. Lokubandara said a colossal amount of money had been spent on development activities in this country since independence but the results gained from such investment had been minimal.

Therefore at a time when the administrative functions were being decentralised in the country through Provincial Councils it was very essential to strengthen the hands of the Auditor General to safeguard public funds and ensure their proper utilisation.

Mr. Lokubandara said the proposed Act would free the Auditor General from various trappings and constraints which limited his manoeuvrability and vest additional powers to check corrupt practices including financial frauds enabling the country to attain development targets on schedule.

Referring to a request made by the President and Secretary of the Sri Lanka Audit Service Association to investigate the reduction of the compensation payment made to Audit Officer Lalith Ambanwala who faced an acid attack on May 20 2002 and increase it to at least Rs. 10 million. Mr. Lokubandara said he hoped to raise this issue in Parliament and provide an acceptable solution in concurrence with the Opposition.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse said in the recent past audit officers had to work under severe stress due to various forms of threats, intimidation and harassment.

Lack of proper facilities including sufficient funds had also placed restrictions on their proper functioning.

The Audit Department too had been earmarked for privatisation earlier but the proposal has been shelved due to vehement public protests and agitations.

The Audit Service had additional vital responsibilities today in the context of the present economic environment where every conceivable sector is being privatised.

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