Samurdhi Banks to be audited from 2026

Colombo, Dec. 9 (Daily Mirror) - Audits of the Samurdhi Community-Based Banks and Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Societies have been newly assigned to the Auditor General from 2026 onwards, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

This was revealed during the sitting of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) when it met recently.

The Committee also considered the 2026 Annual Work Programme of the National Audit Office. According to the Programme, 3,508 audits will be carried out in 2026, which include 3,484 Financial Audits, 11 Performance Audits, an Environmental Audit and 12 Special Audits.

The Committee raised concerns regarding the staff capacity required to carry out the Samurdhi audits. 

The acting Auditor General stated that an additional 10%–15% staff would be required beyond the current cadre. He further informed the Committee that pilot audits are being conducted through regional offices and will continue until the end of February, after which the actual capacity requirements, whether through recruitment or outsourcing, will be determined.