'Detection of VAT scam saved country Rs.140,000 m'

Rasika Somarathna

The revelation of the Value Added Tax fraud saved nearly Rs.140,000 million for the benefit of the people, which otherwise would have been defrauded, Auditor General H.A.S.Samaraweera said yesterday.

The disclosure of the VAT fraud happened some time back.

"A large number of frauds, corrupt activities and misappropriations have been disclosed by our auditors during investigations with the most significant recent revelation being the VAT scam" he said.

He was speaking on the occasion of the opening of a new building for his department at Battaramulla.

The fully equipped facility which would house the Auditor General's headquarters was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Auditor General said that audit investigations carried out by his department have been helpful in carrying out development activities in a more efficient, fruitful and result-oriented manner. He said that presently, his department audits accounting reports of a large number of ministries, departments, state corporations, authorities, provincial councils, local councils and various government projects every year and submits reports to the Parliament and provincial governors.

He noted that his department expects to ensure the protection of public funds and their proper utilization through efficient audits.

He said that his department hopes to upgrade human and physical resources and modern technology and identified the department's new headquarters equipped with modern facilities as another step in this direction.