Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

New audit system to evaluate customer satisfaction soon

7 February 2017 11:36 am - 8     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A new citizens’ participatory audit system to assess the services provided by local government bodies to their constituents would be implemented before long, the Auditor General’s Department said yesterday.

An audit report will be released based on the feedback received from the residents and other individuals who seek the services of local government authorities in addition to financial reports and management standards of the entity.

Speaking at an event organised by the Colombo Municipality to discuss the responsibilities of working towards a better audit report, Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe warned local government entities that they would no longer be audited on their financial reports alone.

“One of the main concepts of good governance is how an individual receives the service he or she seeks. It is of no use having good reports if they are unhappy with the service provided,” he said.

Speaking of the Colombo Municipality's somewhat positive audit report after more than four decades, the AG explained that many of the issues on the audit report was connected to arrears in rates the municipality had to receive.

“Many public sector employees fall into the vicious circle of blaming, they don’t take measures to change and update the system,” he said.

Speaking of auditing in recent times, Mr. Wijesinghe said the 19th Amendment to the Constitution had widened the scope of auditing to include not merely financial reports but also management structures and even the green initiatives by government institutions.

The focus on the environment would make it near impossible for the CMC to receive similar positive reports in the future as it had to take concrete measures to resolve the garbage issue in Meethotamulla.

Meanwhile, Commissioner V. K. A. Anura who spoke to the media after the event said the municipality had arrived at a short-term solution to the garbage issue. Refusing to provide specifics of the project, Mr. Anura said groundwork of the venture was complete and that it would be initiated in two months time.

Meanwhile, Assistant Auditor General (Western Province) T. Premalatha who also addressed the gathering said the CMC had the potential to multiply its revenue.

She pointed out that 188 government organisations were yet to pay Rs. 528.4 million to the CMC as rates, and that they were just 17 per cent of the total number of properties that had dues in rate payments.

However, the municipality was to receive a staggering Rs. 2,566 million in arrears as of December 31, 2015, with Rs. 852 million from properties which were over the Rs. 500,000 benchmark.

Furthermore, the municipality did not charge arrears from all properties within its city limits. (Nabeela Hussain)

 

Video by Buddhi


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 8

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Dr. Watson Tuesday, 07 February 2017 11:47 AM

    Customer Satisfaction! Nice words! In Sri Lanka, organizations have people called "customer care officers". By the service the give the customer they should be called " customer no care" officers.

    annoyed Tuesday, 07 February 2017 01:32 PM

    Good step taken to measure government servents' service levels. Measuring is one step in the process and next authorities need to have an action plan based on the results.

    Raj Tuesday, 07 February 2017 04:07 PM

    Do something good for the public as now Gov staffs can speak out their opinion, But dont go and try to team up with evil business scams or Mahinda regime and try to topple this New Government by abusing your power and doing dirty stuff,. attacking key ministries.. with ulterior motive.

    Nihal Tuesday, 07 February 2017 04:23 PM

    To start with introduce customer complain record no matter it may run into so many pages via DM Android App

    sg Tuesday, 07 February 2017 04:32 PM

    Not on;y financial but also service of the every public and cooperate sector must be audit accurately.

    Don Tuesday, 07 February 2017 05:53 PM

    Its every citizens right to information to ask for an audit of the GMOA office bearers. via DM Android App

    Citizen Wednesday, 08 February 2017 03:41 AM

    Agree, good concept forward though will only work if the integrity of those providing feedback is is intact. Public has to be more disciplined. That may be a hard call given the current attitude of general public.

    Samsam Wednesday, 08 February 2017 05:13 AM

    A great move. I hope they can implement technological solutions to capture customer feedback directly across a range of metrics e.g. general customer service but other aspects of their service portfolio. This type of transparency will help create more accountability. I can speak for Kotte, they seem to do bugger all. They need to be held to account for failing to use tax payer funds effectively.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H