January 05, Colombo (LNW): The National Youth Services Council spent more than Rs. 320 million on the “Smart Youth Night” music concert series, a major event organised by the council, an audit has uncovered.
The expenditure was revealed as part of a thorough audit review conducted by the Youth Services Council itself, shedding light on the significant financial commitment involved in this initiative.
The concert series, which aimed to engage and entertain the youth across the country, was held in numerous locations, including the Maharagama National Youth Services Centre, as well as cities such as Galle, Ampara, Kuliyapitiya, Puttalam, Dambulla, Jaffna, Mahiyanganaya, Hatton, Higurakgoda, Bandarawela, Walisara, and notable venues like the Colombo Race Course and Khettarama Stadium.
These events were designed to attract young audiences with music performances and entertainment, aiming to provide a platform for youth involvement and social engagement.
At the time of the concert series, the National Youth Services Council was operating under the supervision of Harin Fernando, who held the position of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The audit report, along with a set of recommendations, has now been forwarded to the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs for further review and consideration.
In light of these findings, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara has directed that a formal investigation be launched to assess the details of the expenditure and determine whether the funds were allocated appropriately.
The probe will focus on understanding the full scope of the spending and whether it aligns with the intended goals of the concert series, while ensuring that the financial resources were utilised efficiently.
