SLASA calls for stringent action against Treasury

By Ananda Kannangara

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The former President of the Sri Lanka Accountants’ Service Association (SLASA), A. M. P. Amarakoon at a media briefing called upon the Government to take stern action against senior Treasury Officers who were responsible for the closure of the Public Enterprise Department (PED) on August 19, 1998 by submitting incorrect information to the then Government.

The former SLASA President also said the objective of closing the PED by the respective Treasury officials was to stop the strict financial control and supervision made by the members of the then Sri Lanka Accountants’ Services Association.

The PED was responsible for the implementation of the provisions of the Finance Act No. 38 of 1971 and thereby exercising financial control by monitoring the activities of the public corporations, statutory boards and Government owned companies.

The financial control, supervision and monitoring of advance accounts activities of the said Government owned companies, corporations and statutory boards were also handled by the members of the PED.

He said although the PED was re-established in 2002, the administrative work was not satisfactory and this clearly indicates with 19 complaints, submitted to the Government by the COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises) report last year.

“Lack of professionalism, poor treasury management, and the delay in submitting accounts by the present management of the PED are some of the major complaints made in the COPE report,” he said.

He also thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the then Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for making an effort to stop the closure of the PED in 1998.

He therefore, requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other responsible officers in the Government to take stern action against those Treasury official.