The Attorney General has approved the draft of National Audit Bill and the Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe will submit the draft bill to the cabinet on the 14th.
On February 2nd, the Attorney General has informed the Prime Minister’s Office that the draft bill was in accordance with the Constitution.
The Prime Minister has instructed the relevant authorities to take measures to present the bill to the cabinet promptly. Accordingly, the Secretary to the Prime Minister has sent the relevant documents to the Cabinet Secretary on Monday (5th).
A National Audit Office will be established through this National Audit Act and its main purpose is to conduct its audits promptly and more effectively.
The Bill will also distribute the powers of one person among board including the Auditor General, and will also introduce new laws to ensure transparency in auditing as well as in the administration of state funds and to prevent the misuse of government funds.
The enactment of the National Audi Bill is one of the key election promises made by the government during President Maithripala Sirisena’s 100-day program in 2015 to crackdown on corruption in state institutions and increase transparency.
Establishment of the National Audit Service Commission under the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which set up Independent Commissions, is being delayed due to the delay in passing the National Audit Act.
