TISL highlights weaknesses in National Audit Bill

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) issuing a release stated that it met with key legislators last week to present the legislative brief on the National Audit Bill detailing key amendments to be made in committee stage. According to TISL, they have prepared this meeting ahead of the debate on the Bill which will commence in Parliament on Thursday (July 05). TISL says the legislative brief highlights four key areas of concern with the provisions of the existing draft of the National Audit Bill, which have been identified following extensive scrutiny and consultations with stakeholders. These concerns surround the lack of accountability in the surcharging procedure, weaknesses in the appeals process, provisions which curtail the investigative powers of the Auditor General and provisions which are in contravention of the Right to Information Act. TISL notes the National Audit Bill has three key provisions,

1. The power of surcharge to impose personal financial responsibility on individuals who have caused financial loss to a State entity through fraud, negligence, misappropriation or corruption
2. The power to examine bank accounts in which the Auditor General believes that monies belonging to a State entity have been fraudulent, irregularly or wrongfully deposited
3. An independent budgeting mechanism designed to safeguard the independence of the prospective National Audit Office

TISL strongly believes that if these amendments are incorporated in the final Act, this will significantly strengthen fiscal accountability in the public sector.