Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has called for an urgent audit of the Ministry of Sports’ financial allocations, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability. While expenditure statistics are available, there has been no evaluation of the actual progress resulting from these funds. According to the Prime Minister’s Media Division, Dr. Amarasuriya has advised that an internal audit be conducted promptly.
During a meeting with the heads of institutions under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs on the 27th, Prime Minister Amarasuriya outlined her priorities for the ministries under her supervision, expressing particular concerns regarding the Ministry of Sports.
“As Prime Minister, I am addressing key issues that have been overlooked in ministries under my charge. The Ministry of Sports, in particular, has several critical concerns that require attention,” she said.
Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted the government’s focus on curbing the wastage and misuse of public funds, noting, “We are taking steps to reduce unnecessary expenditures, and I have instructed the Ministry to cut back on festivals and celebrations that do not provide value for public resources.”
Although the Ministry has data on its spending, there has been no assessment of the outcomes. “I have called for a swift internal audit to determine how these funds have been utilized and the progress that has been made,” she stated.
The Prime Minister also pointed out that institutional committees have not yet been formed to investigate fraud and corruption in government bodies. “The government has developed a structured program to address these issues,” she added.
Another major concern raised in the discussion was the lack of a program within the Ministry of Sports to address abuse and violence in the sports sector. Dr. Amarasuriya has directed the Ministry to create a comprehensive plan to investigate these issues and raise awareness.
The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister’s Secretary, Mr. Pradeep Saputantri, the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. K. Maheshan, and other senior officials.
