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Large scale corruption in state institutions - Auditor General`s powers to be strengthened
Thursday, 9 March 2006 - 3:11 AM SL Time
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The Government yesterday pledged to strengthen the powers of the Auditor General (AG) to counter increasing corruption and funds mismanagement in the country.
The government assurance was made to Parliament yesterday by Leader of the House and senior Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva when the issue of corruption in government institutions was taken up for debate.
The AG recently released a report on large scale corruption in government institutions, the contents of which were carried in The Sunday Times newspaper on 5 March, prompting UNP MP John Amaratunga to call for an adjournment debate on the matter. The government responded with a strong pledge to strengthen the powers of the AG. MP Amaratunga said he was pleased that the AG was openly talking about corruption in the country. He said as Parliament was the supreme body responsible for public funds it had a responsibility by the people to investigate corruption and take appropriate action.
MP Amaratunga called the report a shameful indictment of the Public Service and quoting the report said that corruption was like a fast spreading cancer which plagued the highest office of the President down to the lowest office.
Minister de Silva replying on behalf of the government said they would take all possible action to bring laws to counter the situation.
'The government will bring in the necessary legislation and institutional aspects to strengthen the AG. We will ensure that the report is scrutinized and investigated and all necessary punitive measures taken to counter the situation', he said.
He said the government was committed to fighting corruption and had presented the Money Laundering bill to fight corruption.
He however said that the media reports were trying to highlight some of the smaller aspects of the problem and in doing so were tarnishing the names of Supreme Court Judges, the Speaker and the President.
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nandalal
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Joined: Apr 2005
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8 Mar 2006 21:21:35 GMT Report for Abuse
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IS THIS SOMETHING NEW IN SRI LANKA?????????????????????
If this statement came a few days later, nobody would have believed it, thinking it was an 'APRIL FOOL'S DAY JOKE'!!
Edited By - nandalal - 8 Mar 2006 21:26:45 GMT |
Praetorian
Joined: Jan 2006
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9 Mar 2006 00:06:03 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Wow.. is this news? Obviously it was foreigner who wrote this. |
David
Joined: Nov 2005
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9 Mar 2006 05:02:23 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Now watch the State owned media questioning the Auditor-General's credibility. |
Gaja
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9 Mar 2006 07:28:32 GMT Report for Abuse
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More Powers do not necessarily bring about efficiency. One must have courage to uphold the Truth one knows.
Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam from Australia |
Bonggo
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9 Mar 2006 16:53:29 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Auditor General's power was strengthened by President Premadasa when Nelum Gamage was the Bribery Commissioner. She did a commendable job but since the change of government in 1994 the Commissioner's power was pruned and it is about time to restore that again. |
anizam
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9 Mar 2006 18:23:43 GMT Report for Abuse
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We have a President who got caught RED HANDED trying to steal Tsunami aid.
INSTEAD of facing the inquiry and clearing his name, He tried every trick in the book to stop the investigation and finally went to court. He was elected on April 1st (FOOLS DAY) and the moment he became president, not only was the whole investigation, stopped, the CID head - DIG Lionel Gunethileka, got into trouble. So stopping corruption in state instituion is a JOKE.
When the very top is corrupt, there is not even a ray of hope. |
varakuna
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 208
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9 Mar 2006 20:29:17 GMT Report for Abuse
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After very long time the LTTE,s name is not included for
accusatation of very important things like corruption in
state institution.politions trying to get in to the parliment at any cos...why?..saving for the nation or the people,never..only for doing corruption and make money,
they dont care where the country goes, this polititions are
lucky due to ethnic and LTTE problem,because the media
carrys only that topic,dirty politicos and defenders
corruptions and unwanted expencing state money for their
family purpose,very good examble according the news papers
Mr.Rohitha Bollegamas India and Genevas visits |
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