The National Youth Services Council (NYSC) and its affiliated institutions are under scrutiny following revelations of financial mismanagement and irregularities.

 The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has decided to appoint a special subcommittee to investigate these issues, as announced during a meeting on Thursday (20) at Parliament, chaired by MP Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera.

The committee convened to review Auditor General’s reports for 2022 and 2023 concerning the NYSC and Sri Lanka Youth Services (Private) Limited.

 It aimed to assess current performance and the implementation progress of recommendations made during a COPE meeting on November 16, 2021.

 An earlier session on the 18th had already revealed numerous financial irregularities, leading to the decision to summon former NYSC chairpersons for further discussions.

 These discussions, held the following day, uncovered additional instances of financial mismanagement and unethical practices.

As a result, COPE resolved to appoint a special subcommittee, chaired by MP Chandima Hettiarachchi, with members including MPs Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Jagath Manuwarna, Sunil Rajapaksha, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra. The subcommittee will conduct investigations and present a report to COPE in due course.

One of the key findings discussed was the expenditure of approximately Rs. 188 million on the “Smart Youth Exhibition and Musical Show.” It was revealed that the relevant cheques were signed by the former NYSC Chairman a day before the Presidential Election. 

The former Chairman, when questioned, claimed that the payments were for events conducted months prior and denied pressuring officials. However, evidence presented by officials indicated that he had exerted pressure to authorize the cheques within a specific timeframe.

Another concern was the appointment of an unqualified private secretary by the former Chairman. The individual, who lacked the required degree for the position, later resigned but was subsequently appointed to the Board of Directors of NYSC. Officials further alleged that this individual had unduly influenced various activities within the organization.

The COPE meeting also examined the “Smart Youth Avurudu Festival,” which was conducted without following proper procedures. Members highlighted that the event, along with other initiatives, was seemingly orchestrated at the discretion of the former Chairman.

Additionally, concerns were raised about supplier involvement in NYSC activities, with the former Chairman claiming he merely forwarded supplier requests to relevant divisions. COPE, however, found the procurement process irregular.

Allegations also surfaced that NYSC had organized programs supporting the former President’s election campaign. 

The former Chairman denied this, stating that all prior programs were halted as per Election Commission directives, except for “Smart Fiesta.

,It was sports-focused and organized in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat. COPE members, however, countered that the same event had been continued under a different name.

 Additionally, Rs. 4.3 million was reportedly spent on a music program for “Smart Fiesta,” but NYSC had not received the final production. The former Chairman insisted the video had been handed over, prompting COPE to recommend further investigation.

Other matters discussed included the National Youth Poson Zone, youth programs in Jaffna and Ampara, the role of the W. D. Weerasinghe Foundation in these events, and the renovation of the Belwood Aesthetic Centre. The implementation of COPE’s 2021 recommendations on these projects was also examined.

Following extensive discussions, the COPE Chair expressed dissatisfaction with the former Director of Finance’s conduct, stressing the need for public officials to fulfill their responsibilities diligently to safeguard both public funds and their professional integrity.

Sri Lanka Railways continues to grapple with financial and operational inefficiencies, impacting both passenger and freight services. 

Decades of underinvestment, maintenance failures, and mismanagement have left the railway system struggling to meet demand. Aging infrastructure, outdated locomotives, and inefficient service schedules have further worsened the situation. 

While recent efforts to improve revenue streams through increased passenger fares have helped boost income, the department still operates at a loss. 

Addressing these challenges requires significant investment, modernization efforts, and improved management to transform Sri Lanka’s rail network into a reliable and efficient mode of transport.

In 2023, a total of 122,426 train journeys were scheduled, but only 36,771 operated on time. Additionally, 10,531 journeys were canceled, meaning that 70% of scheduled services faced delays or cancellations. 

The National Audit Office (NAO) identified frequent strikes, often considered unjustified, as a major factor that disrupted services and caused inconvenience to the public.

Despite Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) handling 6% of total passenger traffic and 6.5% of freight transport, the department has struggled to expand its market share. 

An audit report revealed that the railway network, which covered 1,521 kilometers in 1934, had been reduced to 1,465 kilometers by 2023, even after the addition of 32 kilometers through the extension to Beliatta. This reflects a net loss of 56 kilometers in track length.

In 2023, SLR transported 109.15 million passengers, covering 7,043 million passenger kilometers. The railway system also moved 1.99 million tonnes of goods. Revenue rose to Rs. 16,079 million, up from Rs. 11,076 million in 2022. 

Passenger revenue alone increased by Rs. 4,064.26 million, largely due to more travelers opting for trains in response to rising bus fares. However, operational costs remained a significant challenge, with total expenditure reaching Rs. 38,983 million, comprising Rs. 27,840 million in recurrent costs and Rs. 11,143 million in capital expenses.

Several issues were identified in the audit, including the unapproved payment of employee bonuses between December 2004 and December 2023, based on outdated salary calculations from November 2004. 

Regulations require these bonuses to be reviewed every six months, but the last review was in November 2002. The NAO has recommended an immediate reassessment of the bonus scheme.

Additionally, Rs. 200 million was allocated in the 2022 interim budget for a railway project to transport vegetables, with Rs. 198 million spent on refurbishing five railway compartments. However, the project was never implemented. While three sub-departments utilized nearly 49% of these funds for alternative projects, SLR defended the expenditure, stating that the money was used for long-term railway improvements.

The audit also found inefficiencies in the online ticket booking system. Currently, only passengers with rail ‘warrants’ can reschedule bookings, while others cannot. Furthermore, when a booking is canceled, those seats remain blocked in the system, leading to empty seats on certain trains.

Several instances of mismanagement of railway assets were highlighted. Thirteen Romanian-manufactured railway carriages were left unused for over two years at Jaffna station, while 69 wagons and carriages abandoned across four stations deteriorated over time.

 The report also noted that ten M11-Class locomotives purchased under an Indian credit line in 2019 and 2020 at Rs. 765 million each had a high failure rate, with five engines becoming inoperable within four years.

Additionally, 132 government-owned railway quarters in five stations remained unoccupied due to the lack of basic amenities such as electricity and water.

In an era where climate change and environmental uncertainties pose significant risks, disaster risk reduction (DRR) has become a critical priority for businesses. 

Recognizing the urgency of proactive measures, Aitken Spence recently held its flagship DRR programme, emphasizing the importance of resilience-building mechanisms and strategic disaster response planning.

 The initiative aimed to address both natural and man-made hazards while fostering a culture of preparedness within the organization and beyond.

The intensification of climate emergencies underscores the necessity for businesses to integrate DRR into their corporate strategies. Aitken Spence’s latest event highlighted its commitment to mitigating risks and ensuring long-term sustainability. 

By bringing together experts, industry leaders, and key decision-makers, the programme served as a platform to share insights, discuss best practices, and reinforce the importance of collaboration in disaster preparedness and response.

A key highlight of the event was the presence of distinguished guests, including Mr. Firzan Hashim of the Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management Sri Lanka, Ms. Anoja Seneviratne from the Disaster Management Centre, and Ms. Priyanka Dissanayake from the World Bank. 

The event commenced with opening remarks by Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Aitken Spence PLC, followed by a keynote address from Mr. Firzan Hashim, setting the stage for insightful discussions.

A panel discussion on “Building Resilience and Fostering Collaboration” further enriched the session, featuring esteemed invitees alongside Aitken Spence’s Chairperson,

 Ms. Stasshani Jayawardena, and Group Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Nilanthi Sivapragasam. The panel explored practical approaches to risk mitigation, the role of the private sector in disaster preparedness, and the significance of cross-sector collaboration.

One of the most impactful moments of the programme was the launch of the Aitken Spence “Disaster Impact Map” on its official website. 

Designed as a public service initiative, this map provides valuable insights into Sri Lanka’s most common natural disasters, such as landslides, floods, tsunamis, and droughts. 

Additionally, it includes data on historical earthquakes, emphasizing the growing threats posed by climate change. By making this resource accessible to the public, Aitken Spence aims to promote informed decision-making and heightened awareness about environmental risks.

The event successfully fostered meaningful discussions and strengthened awareness among the company’s leadership regarding disaster risk reduction and strategic planning. 

By engaging its managing directors and key decision-makers in these critical conversations, Aitken Spence reaffirmed its dedication to integrating DRR into its overall business strategy.

 As a leader in corporate sustainability and resilience, Aitken Spence remains committed to taking proactive measures to reduce disaster risks. 

This programme serves as a benchmark for the private sector, demonstrating the power of strategic planning, collaboration, and technological innovation in safeguarding businesses and communities against future uncertainties.

Through continued efforts, Aitken Spence sets a precedent for responsible corporate action in disaster risk reduction, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for all.

The rainy condition is expected to enhance over Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, and Central provinces and in Hambantota district for the next few days from 24^th February.

Weather forecast for today (22):

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Galle, Matara, Kaluthara and Rathnapura districts in the evening or night.Mainly dry weather will prevail elsewhere over the island.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and North-central provinces and Kurunegala district during the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

The Ministry of Education has issued a circular outlining appropriate actions to be taken due to the prevailing high temperatures in Sri Lanka.

The circular, sent to all Provincial Secretaries and Education Directors, includes recommendations aimed at ensuring student safety during extreme weather conditions.

The ministry advises that students should avoid outdoor activities or prolonged exposure to high temperatures, citing potential risks such as heat cramps, heat strokes, and exhaustion.

Furthermore, authorities have been instructed to consider the high temperatures when planning sports meets and outdoor events, taking necessary precautions to safeguard students’ well-being.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized that Sri Lanka’s aspiration is to become a co-competitor among other nations, with digitalization playing a pivotal role in achieving this goal.

Speaking at the Innovation Island Summit in Colombo, the President highlighted the challenges Sri Lanka faces in the global economic race and underscored the importance of digitalization and innovation in elevating the country’s position.

“We are not a team that crossed the start line to run the race. Some have already run this race. We have to trail after them. Our attempt is to pace forward and become a co-competitor. We have not reached that position yet. We are facing an unfair race, and as a result, it has negatively impacted the Sri Lankan economy, community, and livelihoods,” he stated.

President Dissanayake invited international partners and investors to bring their businesses to Sri Lanka, assuring them of a positive environment for innovation, a strategic location, and a skilled workforce.

“Instead of a politically focused economy, we have a new government that focuses on the country’s priorities,” he said, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to fostering economic growth.

Encouraging local entrepreneurs, the President urged them to think beyond boundaries, take risks, and dream big.

“Dream big. Don’t be afraid to take the risk. Think beyond your boundaries. We are ready to support your idea from thought to end product,” he assured.