Revenue loss of over Rs 5.8 bn: CMC member urges Governor to act on audit report

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) member Sharmila Gonawela has drawn the attention of Western Province Governor Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Gunathilake to the shocking disclosure made by the National Audit Office (NAO) regarding rampant corruption at the Council, which has cost local authority about Rs 5.8 bn over the past 12 years.

Gonawela yesterday told The Island that she had felt the need to take it up with the former Air Force Commander as the CMC was yet to take tangible measures regarding the forensic audit conducted by the NAO on the management of vehicle parking system.

The National Audit Office has released the report in early April, last year, though those responsible seemed to have turned a blind eye to what was going on, Mrs Gonawela, who also represents the civil society organization, Urban Citizens, said.

The report, issued under the hand of Deputy Auditor General S.M.D.S. Sudeesh Rohitha (Special Investigations and Forensic Audit), has been sent to the Secretary, Local Government, Economic Promotion, Power and Energy, Environmental Affairs, Water Supply and Drainage and Tourism, Western Province and Secretary, State Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government et al.

According to the NAO report, that had been sent to the WP Governor, by Mrs. Gonawela, over Rs. 560 mn, that had been collected from the public, by private parties engaged by the CMC to manage parking lots, were not paid to the Council, in addition to Rs 5,250 mn lost due to adoption of wrong procedures et al.

The official pointed out that the Governor of North Western Province Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda had initiated inquiry into corruption at all levels in the Kurunegala MC.

Alleging that the NAO report has exposed members of the Council, who had abused their position and engaged in fraudulent activities, Mrs. Gonawela has asked the WP Governor to officially inform the relevant political parties regarding the conduct of their members.

She has also urged the WP Governor to initiate legal action against them (SF)