Special Audit Flags Unlimited Fuel Allocations To Parliament Officials

COLOMBO (News 1st): A special audit has revealed that, during the final two years of the 9th Parliament, which began in 2019, unlimited fuel allowances were provided to officials holding positions including the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Deputy Chairperson of Committees, and Secretary-General of Parliament.

According to the report, the Speaker alone had used 3,994 liters of fuel in 2023 and 6,122 liters in 2024.

This represents increases of 66% and 155%, respectively, compared to the year 2022.

The audit report states that fuel was issued without restriction for the position of Deputy Speaker, on par with a Non-Cabinet Ministerial portfolio.

The report also notes that the position of Deputy Chairperson of Committees was identified as a post subordinate to the Deputy Speaker and fuel was issued without restriction for that position as well.

Accordingly, during the 2023 and 2024 period, 21,299 liters of fuel valued at Rs. 8,545,037 had been issued for the Deputy Speaker's private motor vehicle.

In addition, fuel had been used exceeding capacity for the three official vehicles used by the Deputy Speaker.

Meanwhile, parliamentary approval has not been obtained since 2004 for the salary of the Secretary-General of Parliament, whose remuneration is charged to the Consolidated Fund and must be approved by Parliament.

The report points out that although the Hansard report dated November 30, 2004, specified that the allowances and remuneration of the Secretary-General should be provided in accordance with the Establishments Code and public administration circulars, in line with the entitlements of other public officers, this practice has not been followed.

As a result, unlimited fuel has been issued to the Secretary-General.

The report further notes that arrangements had been made to provide unlimited fuel for official travel to the Deputy Secretary-General, Assistant Secretary-General, and other department heads, while fuel equivalent to 1,200 kilometers and 960 kilometers of travel was provided for private use.