The Government has launched a special programme in collaboration with the World Bank and the Institute of Internal Auditors to strengthen financial discipline and internal audit systems across Sri Lanka’s public institutions.
As part of the initiative, a discussion on strengthening public financial management and internal auditing is scheduled to be held next Friday between the World Bank’s Head of Operations for Asia and officials from the Sri Lankan Government and the Ministry of Finance.
The programme is being implemented through the Ministry of Finance based on instructions and guidance provided by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The initiative aims to ensure that public funds allocated for the welfare of citizens, whether through the national Budget or other financial channels, are used efficiently to deliver public services. It also seeks to minimise waste, corruption, fraud, theft and inefficiencies while maximising the effectiveness of services and supplies funded through public revenue.
As part of efforts to strengthen the internal audit process, a special programme has been introduced under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance’s Internal Audit Department. The programme brings together internal audit officers to provide them with the necessary knowledge, experience and professional guidance.
M.R.G.A.B. Muthukude, Director General of the Management Audit Department of the Ministry of Finance, said new regulations and directives aimed at strengthening internal audit functions under the Fiscal Responsibility Management Act have already been drafted and submitted to the Legal Draftsman’s Department for approval.