Public wealth swindlers will be brought to book - Finance Minister
By Lalin Fernandopulle
All those who swindled public wealth under the Rajapaksa regime will
be brought to book and dealt with severely, Finance Minister Ravi
Karunanayake told the launch of the Chartered Public Finance Accountancy
(CPFA) qualification at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri
Lanka (ICASL) last week.
 He said that his ministry was astonished by the lack of
professionalism shown by those who headed State institutions in the
former regime, plundering public resources and ran State institutions
according to their whims and fancies. Perpetrators will be nabbed and
penalised by the law.
“The large number of files of public institutions which had gone
missing, the staggering public debt and failure to submit documents and
data on time showed the unprofessional conduct of those who held top
positions in the former government,” Karunanayake said.
Probes into various allegations of corruption and mismanagement of
State-run institutions have brought to light the alarming amounts of
public money being amassed and misused for personal gain. A recent
investigation has shed light on luxurious houses and land owned by a
close confidante of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Karunanayake said that all mega project deals will be probed and
shady transactions will be checked. Roads are necessary and they are
beautiful but staggering amounts of money being spent on such projects
cannot be condoned.
"Chartered Accountants have failed miserably in their role to ensure
good governance and professional management of public funds.
I am a shamed at the lack of professionalism shown by Chartered
Accountants who have ignored their responsibility towards transparent,
accountable and professional management of national resources,” the
Minister said.
He said that many State institutions such as SriLankan Airlines,
Minhin Air are white elephants. They have been incurring colossal
amounts of losses each year. The ICASL has failed to voice its concern
on such grave issues.
“You as Chartered Accountants should tap your conscience and see
whether you have made your share of contribution to the country. You
have not shown professionalism. The Treasury under the previous regime
was a glorified cemetery and was never able to make the country the
Wonder of Asia,” Karunanayake said.
Former Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera has not responded to
allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds up to now.
Karunanayake said that the aim of the new government is not only to
reduce corruption but also strive to eliminate corruption in the
country.
"We need the support of Chartered Accountants to clean up the mess.
It is high time we stand up for professional ethics and promote good
governance which is the primary focus of the government," he said.
“The new government will go ahead with financial sector reforms which
were initiated in 2003 but came to a halt with the change of
government,” the Minister said.
CASL President Arjuna Herath said that the launch of CIPFM is a key
milestone in the journey of CASL to enhance professionalism in finance
management. CIPFM is an initiative of CASL with CIPFM, UK.
He said that society demands greater accountability and transparency
in the country. |
