UTV | COLOMBO – Parliament today debated the draft bill of the Audit Act including the Auditor General’s salary.
United National Party Parliamentarian Ashoka Priyantha says all institutions within the country should be subject to audits.
Speaking during the debate this afternoon the MP said such audits will lead to the prevention of the misuse of public funds.
The MP said the government is slowly sweeping away an era of corruption and fraud, and have reached a point where all state officers can be happy with their work.
He however noted some state workers may not be happy with the present system and governance, especially those who are used to accepting bribes.
MP Pathirana said state workers who are devoted to the country and the state service are continuing their journey with the government.
The UNP MP noted those found guilty of corruption and bribery, when uncovered, should be dealt with according to the law.
Joining the debate State Minister Ajith P Perera said the Department of the Auditor General should consider recruiting experts in the fields of economics, engineering and all relevant areas.
The State Minister added when the Auditor Generals Department is being transformed to a Commission, the need has arisen for the Department to recruit economics experts, qualified engineers and trained individuals of other fields permanently to the authority.
The State Minister noted failure to do so will result in errors, when reaching conclusions, especially in fields when an expert opinion is required or in making policy decisions.
Therefore he proposed that as a future step we recruit such experts.
Meanwhile JVP Parliamentarian Bimal Ratnayake taking the floor requested the Auditor General to reveal the daily expenditure for a day’s Parliament session.
The MP requested the Auditor General’s Department to reveal to the public the daily cost of holding a Parliamentary session.
He noted thousands of policemen are on duty when Parliament convenes, while thousands of officers are present, and charged that under such circumstances Parliament is adjourned.
As public representatives, MP Ratnayake said there were only a handful of government MPs in the House yesterday and said all Members of Parliament have a responsibility to the House.
He noted the wastage of funds in Parliament has become a burden and therefore requested the Auditor General to reveal the daily expenditure, when Parliament convenes.
