February 24, Colombo (LNW): A recent report by the National Audit Office has uncovered serious discrepancies regarding the vehicle fleet registered under the Ministry of Finance.
The report reveals that the physical presence of 176 out of 257 vehicles could not be verified, raising questions about the management and accountability of state resources.
According to information sourced from the Department of Motor Traffic for the year 2023, a large number of these vehicles are unaccounted for, with no verification of their existence at all.
Furthermore, the report highlights that for 99 of these vehicles, no supporting documentation was submitted to auditors, exacerbating concerns over transparency within the Ministry.
The Chief Accounting Officer of the Ministry has informed auditors that efforts are ongoing to track down and verify details regarding the 176 missing vehicles.
However, the audit report strongly urges the Ministry to take immediate action to confirm the ownership and physical location of all vehicles registered in its name, ensuring proper records are maintained.
In addition to the unverified vehicles, the report also revealed that 44 vehicles had been handed over to various institutions by the Ministry without the formal transfer of ownership.
This practice further complicates matters, as it leaves no clear indication of accountability for the vehicles.
Furthermore, the audit highlights that 11 vehicles were obtained from other institutions without completing the necessary transfer procedures, raising concerns about the lack of due diligence in the process.
