Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has called for an urgent audit of the Ministry of Sports’ financial allocations, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and accountability. While financial expenditure statistics are available, the Prime Minister noted that there has been no thorough evaluation of the progress achieved through these funds. She has urged the Ministry to conduct an internal audit immediately, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Division.
During a meeting held on the 27th with heads of institutions under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Prime Minister Amarasuriya outlined her priorities across the ministries under her supervision, with a focus on key issues related to the Ministry of Sports.
“As Prime Minister, I am addressing overlooked issues within the ministries under my charge, particularly the Ministry of Sports, which has raised significant concerns. The government is committed to curbing the wastage and misuse of public funds, and I have directed the Ministry to cut down on unnecessary expenditures, such as festivals and celebrations that do not serve public interest,” she stated.
Despite available data on allocations and spending, no proper assessment has been conducted to measure outcomes. Hence, the Prime Minister has ordered a swift audit to evaluate the usage of these funds and the progress made.
Additionally, Dr. Amarasuriya pointed out the absence of institutional committees to investigate fraud and corruption in government bodies. The government has developed a structured program to address these issues.
A critical concern raised during the meeting was the lack of a dedicated program within the Ministry to prevent and address abuse and violence in the sports sector. The Prime Minister has instructed the Ministry to develop a comprehensive plan to investigate these issues and raise awareness.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Pradeep Saputantri, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. K. Maheshan, Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, and other senior officials.
