The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA), chaired by Member of Parliament Aravinda Senarath, recommended that an audit be conducted on the daily financial loss incurred due to train cancellations.
This recommendation was made during the Committee’s meeting held yesterday (June 05) at Parliament to discuss the Auditor General’s Report for the year 2023 and the current performance of the Sri Lanka Railways Department.
The Sri Lanka Railways Department was summoned before the Committee on May 08, during which the 2023 Auditor General’s Report was reviewed. Based on the issues revealed, the Committee decided to further discuss matters related to this institution. Accordingly, former General Managers of Railways and former Secretaries to the Ministry were also summoned and were present at the meeting.
The Committee’s attention was drawn to the insufficient number of audit and management committee meetings held, and inquiries were made from the former Secretaries to the Ministry and former General Managers of Railways regarding the lack of adequate meetings from 2021 to 2024. In response, the former officials pointed out that the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic during this period hindered the ability to hold such meetings. Although arrangements had been made to regularize these meetings in 2024, the officials stated that the final scheduled meeting could not be held due to staff transfers. The Committee noted that as a result, the institution’s efficiency had declined and that delays in train operations had increased in 64 train delays in 2022, 61 in 2023, and 46 in 2024.
A lengthy discussion was held on this matter, and the Committee recommended that a report be submitted to the Ministry regarding daily train delays and the measures taken to prevent them. Additionally, the Committee recommended that an audit be carried out on the daily losses incurred due to train cancellations.
The Committee also took note that, according to State Finance Circular dated August 28, 2020, the approval of the Chief Financial Officer must be obtained for the procurement plan. However, this approval had not been obtained for the 2024 procurement plan, and the Committee recommended that an investigation be conducted in this regard.
Further, it was discussed that Siam City Cement (Lanka) Ltd. must pay an outstanding revenue amounting to Rs. 2,187,326/= for the transportation of limestone by rail by December 31, 2024. The officials noted that the relevant project is still ongoing and that necessary action is being taken to recover the due payments as scheduled.
On May 22, members of the COPA Committee also undertook an observation tour at the Ratmalana Railway Maintenance Yard. The MPs informed the Committee of the facts revealed during this visit, stating that a large area of the worksite is covered with dismantled machinery and equipment, some of which are not installed in environmentally appropriate conditions. It was also observed that some equipment had been purchased in excess quantities. Following lengthy discussions on the matter, the Committee recommended that a report be submitted regarding the procurement of M11 railway engines, including cost and maintenance expenses.
In addition, the Committee recommended that a detailed report on the financial progress achieved over the past five years be submitted.
