Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) hails the Chief Government Whip, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena’s statement that Parliament should actively participate in the preparation of budgetary estimates and the achieving of set targets. TISL views this as an extremely positive step to ensure more accountability in the national budget process.
“Sri Lanka’s budget process is ailing with inexplicable weaknesses in the system coupled with its secrecy both in contents and process. TISL has, on numerous occasions, pointed out the need to make the budget process transparent so that it would gather efficiency and accountability on its own and suggested that Sri Lanka forms a strong Budget Committee in Parliament,” says TISL Executive Director J C Weliamuna.
“Many countries have recognized the need to have a separate Budget Committee or Finance Committee in Parliament to examine the budget estimates, particularly its realistic nature. In this background, TISL requests all parties in Parliament to support the move of the Chief Government Whip and establish a Budget Committee comprising of all parties without further delay,” TISL statement adds.
Responding to comments by JVP parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Minister Gunawardena pointed out that Parliament is vested with the authority on matters relating to public finances and that these powers should be exercised. Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera remarked that his party accepts the proposal in principle. The matter is to be taken up at the next party leaders’ meeting.
http://www.island.lk/2008/09/16/news20.html
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