CoPA presents third report to Parliament

The Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) presented its third report to Parliament yesterday, its first to the seventh Parliament.

The report charged some State institutions of delays in presenting annual performance reports, for not taking action to present the annual action plan in time according to the Public Finance Circular, irregular function of internal audit unit and non-establishment of the same in most cases, irregular conduct of audit and management committee meetings, failure in providing information to the Auditor General at the preliminary level of the queries, remaining of vacancies of cadre, and for not taking follow-up action to implement the directives of the committee within a stipulated period.

The report covers the financial activities of 38 State institutions, including 16 ministries, 18 departments, and four district secretariats during the 10-month period from 8 January to 23 October 2014.

CoPA Chairman and Minister of Higher Education and Research Dr. Sarath Amunugama emphasised that even though the committee had met its target and come up with recommendations, effective action to establish the recommendations was important. 

“The committee was able to achieve its target and has contributed to uphold good governance.  Heads of respective institutions need to take necessary action to establish the recommendations provided in this report. The committee also recommends follow-up action be taken to see the progress and to monitor the implementation process,” said Amunugama. (AH)