Half of state officials should be in jail by now: AG

19 June 2018 03:51 am - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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More than half the state officials would be in jail by now if they were dealt in the manner in which former presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunga was dealt with and sentenced to prison on charges of misusing State funds, Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe said yesterday.

“Mr. Weeratunga was sentenced to prison for misusing public funds and if the other state officials are dealt with in a similar manner, half of them should serve jail terms because most of them spent funds without the approval of their superiors,” he said at a workshop organized by COPA.

Mr. Wijesinghe said trillions of rupees had been wasted by various government institutions in the recent past while a huge amount of funds were wasted in the health sector for importing outdated equipment and money allocated for school buildings without making proper assessments.

He said there were some 1,500 students in the school he studied at but there were only 50 students in that school now. “This is just an example as there are instances where funds are utilized to construct buildings in schools which did not have a sufficient number of students to use these facilities,” he said.

Mr. Wijesinghe said only Rs.300 million out of Rs.1.2 billion allocated for capital expenditure has been allocated in the last budget and one director attached to Maga Neguma is claiming the company today. He said one stake was given to this director while other stakes were given to the government when Maganeguma was formed.

Mr. Wijesinghe said the bond scam was not the only financial crime in the country because there were many more including the coal power purchasing deal and the rice import scam which had taken place under the previous and the current government.

He said the Audit Bill was a must to ensure financial discipline in the State sector under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution but the government was unable to enact it as yet. COPA Chairman Lasantha Alagiyawanna said the Bill would be enacted within three months. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)

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Comments - 25

Fools paradise Tuesday, 19 June 2018 06:15 AM

I appreciate your comment. This is created by Banda in his social change. To day the so called inefficient executives want TWO cars, year holiday and a plush house. So people PAY this.

OUR OBEDIENT SERVANTS Tuesday, 19 June 2018 06:39 AM

I suppose you include politico's as well

Andy Capp Tuesday, 19 June 2018 07:53 AM

To start with why does he not tell us who they are?

JR Tuesday, 19 June 2018 08:14 AM

Cannot agree more and hole will get deep as we go MIGRATE is word for peopel who can get out.

Ravi Tuesday, 19 June 2018 11:33 AM

All this is crap. No names will be announced and no rogue will be caught. This is all part of the game of making us the ordinary people fools,

Premalal Tuesday, 19 June 2018 11:39 AM

Esprcially the 226. That is 225 inside the Parliament and the one at Presidential house

Annie Tuesday, 19 June 2018 06:55 AM

Hello AG What do you guys plan to do ab out this ?NOTHING to be Proud about

Jaya Tuesday, 19 June 2018 07:03 AM

SirIt's a great comments. Stake holders also responsible for correct them by the way of not to repeat the same.

Retired Tuesday, 19 June 2018 07:40 AM

Very true. Have seen state officials over the past 50 years and recollect how the quality dropped in the last two decades or so getting politicized and bowing down to the needs of politicians without being independent and honest.Country and people suffer.

Cobra Tuesday, 19 June 2018 07:57 AM

And the other half on strike and protests!!!

varunadhar Tuesday, 19 June 2018 08:06 AM

What the Auditor General says is very correct. But my question is why was he keeping mum (silent) during the past regime?

Kumara Dharmarathne Tuesday, 19 June 2018 08:16 AM

Mr.President, Mr. Prime Minister, Can you see what has happened to the country according to Auditor General? What are you doing other than enjoying the perks? Whatever you guys do,How much money you spent, everything going waste unless you make serious arrangements to imprison past and current rogues.

rew Tuesday, 19 June 2018 11:28 AM

Don't expect any action from Pres or PM. Ace Conners

Wedage Tuesday, 19 June 2018 08:16 AM

So why the Government is not taking any Legal action towards them. Please Mr.President and Prime Minister take immediate steps to address these issues. Do not waste time. The next generation will suffer because of yours lethergic action. We do not need any Elections right now. Just address these burning issues.

Jothisaya Tuesday, 19 June 2018 11:23 AM

Not only the next generation will suffer, your own children and grandchildren will be cursed by God wreath for your inability!

Ravi Tuesday, 19 June 2018 11:35 AM

Why are you pleading to the President and Prime Minister ?They are also in the same boat and enjoying our poor tax payers money.

TONY Tuesday, 19 June 2018 09:06 AM

MR RIDICULED THE PEOPLE AND LAWS OF THE COUNTRY TO PROP UP HIS OWN IMAGE AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF HIS OWN FAMILY AND CLOSE ASSOCIATES

commissions Tuesday, 19 June 2018 11:20 AM

There is no Govt. unit to control this. $=Rs.160 No import restrictions. Donkey freedom. Eg: State Bank can write software . But Top Mgt. purchase off the shelf foreign Package to get commissions.

Blunt Point Tuesday, 19 June 2018 11:21 AM

Sentencing them is easy, and they get themselves admitted to unknown diseases and enjoy freedom!! What's the use, please, they should be stripped of all wealth and their pensions on the basis that the coffer is built! Please don't sentence anyone anymore, you need to hit where it pains!!!

VJ Tuesday, 19 June 2018 11:24 AM

The Auditor general is also responsible for allowing this to go unchecked. His job also includes oversight, meaning preventing such mismanagement. Writing the report at the end the fiscal year is not just enough.

Ceylon Tuesday, 19 June 2018 01:53 PM

So jail them.

Jaya Wednesday, 20 June 2018 02:41 AM

MR will get a place in history for the great damage done to boost his image enrich himself and the family.He lives in luxury and roam about in bullet proof cars latest to worship at A Pura and then visit Muslims. Who pays for all this the poor.He organisers stooges to thrust mikes at him and talks poppy talk to confusei

Lankan Wednesday, 20 June 2018 04:24 AM

So instead of wasting your time and resources chasing someone like Ranjan Ramanayake, why not make a list of those you believe should be prosecuted and start working on punishing them? At least then you could be satisfied that you've not stolen your wages even if you're not successful. You guys are all Fart and no Shit.

Retired Wednesday, 20 June 2018 06:44 AM

Why not the President and the PM who preach so much bring in some methods to improve situation. Increase of public sector cadre by last regime is a huge blunder without increase of output and results but just to get votes.

truth Wednesday, 20 June 2018 07:51 AM

Including you.

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Half of state officials should be in jail by now: AG

Comments - 25

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