Categories: Headlines

LNP – NGOs spend billions unchecked

The local and international NGOs registered with the National NGO Secretariat – have committed to spend as much as Rs.30 billion this year, yet more than double this amount is spent by such organisations which are unregistered, warranting the need to enact the proposed NGO Regulation and Supervision Bill as early as possible, an informed source said.

The bill which was drafted by the previous government is now pending with the line ministry after clearance by the Legal Draftsman’s Department.

The NGOs are currently registered in terms of the Voluntary Social Service Organisations (Registration and Supervision) Act and the Company Act. After that, they apply for registration with the NGO Secretariat, which is now under the purview of the Public Security Ministry.

An informed source said there are 1,851 registered with the NGO Secretariat and 618 of them only remain active at the moment. The secretariat has direct supervision of spending by these NGOs involved in various development and charity projects in collaboration with the government institutions.

However, according to the source, 700 NGOs remain under the purview of the Registrar of Companies. The NGO Secretariat has no control over spending and activities by them, the source said.

“It is important to have the new bill enacted to bind them for registration. Otherwise, there is no control and supervision over their activities,” the source said.

Daily Mirror learns that some NGOs have included mainly family members in their boards to run operations.

“There are others with foreigners only in their boards,” the source said

AddThis Website Tools
Tyronne Jayamanne

Recent Posts

LNP – MR, Maithri, Ranil, Basil, others involved in USD 110 million cattle import scam: MP

Former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, P. Harrison, Wijith…

15 hours ago

LNP – Keheliya’s two more daughters, son-in-law arrested

Two more daughters of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Chamithri Jayanika Rambukwella and Amali Nayanika Rambukwella—as…

16 hours ago

LNP – World’s most liveable city for 2025 revealed

After a three-year run at the top of the annual list from the Economist Intelligence…

16 hours ago

LNP – Over 73,000 new vehicle registrations recorded following relaxation of imports: DMT

Following the recent relaxation of vehicle imports, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) announced today…

16 hours ago

LNP – 11.6 percent youngsters addicted to smoking, 18 percent to drinking -survey

A recent study reveals that 11.6 percent of youngsters aged 15 to 21 in Sri…

22 hours ago

LNP – Ex-Minister Keheliya, wife and daughter arrested by Bribery Commission

Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, his wife Kusum Priyadarshini Epa and his daughter Chandula…

2 days ago