The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today we discuss an important Bill as well as two supplementary estimates. Before this debate we saw the Opposition display their political bankruptcy, as usual. Since Independence, political power has shifted from elites to non‑elites; traditional parties and their leaders have withered. The traditional power structure is in a decisive crisis—exposed here today.

¶ 02 The Opposition’s criticisms of the National People’s Power (NPP) are simplistic and shallow, evidencing political poverty. In 2024, the people did not vote for traditional parties in two elections; yet the Opposition claims the people were fooled by NPP lies—an insult to the political intelligence of our citizens. The electorate has matured; traditional parties and leaders have not. Hence their daily morning performances.

¶ 03 We invite you to overcome that poverty, develop, and engage here constructively.

¶ 04 Today we amend the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018, with 14 amendments, and consider supplementary estimates for the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, and the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.

¶ 05 Audit in Sri Lanka dates back to inscriptions from the era of King Mihindu V, noting monastic audits of state finances and proper record-keeping. From Mihintale inscriptions to Arahant Mahinda’s counsel to King Devanampiyatissa—“Great King, you are not the owner but the custodian of this land”—we see the ethic of stewardship. Over the last four decades, state finances were abused: Airbus deal, Nelum Kuluna, Hambantota Port, Mattala Airport, Sooriyawewa Stadium, Hambantota Conference Hall, the Central Bank bond scam, sugar tax scam, garlic scam—all misuses of state funds. The NPP Government now sets state finances on the right track.

¶ 06 Under Article 148 of the Constitution, control of public finance rests with Parliament. Revenues come from public taxes and other income; through the annual Appropriation Bill, funds are allocated. The Auditor-General’s annual reports enable us to see if funds were properly used.

¶ 07 After the 17th IMF programme, in March 2023, the IMF’s interdepartmental assessments highlighted systemic and control weaknesses and corruption risks. Hence we strengthen preventive mechanisms through amendments.

¶ 08 The core aim of today’s Bill is to strengthen the governance and procedural framework for auditing the state sector in Sri Lanka—enhancing accountability, systematizing surcharges, empowering the Auditor-General, and aligning with evolving standards of public law, good governance, and institutional oversight. Notably, Clause 2 amends Section 79 significantly, altering powers of the Auditor-General. Ultimately, we seek fiscal discipline, stronger accountability, enforceable audit findings, and a disciplined surcharge process. With that, I conclude. Thank you.