By

Disna Mudalige

The Committee on Public Finance headed by TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran has faced difficulties in compiling its report on ‘Budget 2017’ due to reluctance of Finance Ministry officials to provide information.

A committee member, speaking to the Daily News after a meeting at the Parliamentary Complex to deliberate on the Budget, said the Committee was not getting the right information from the officials of the Treasury and Government Budget Office.

However, the Committee decided to present its report on the Budget to Parliament on November 17.

“As we do not have the right resources, we have sought the help of private firms and experts who have volunteered to work with us to prepare this report. We want to submit this report because it is our main responsibility,” he said.

“The hesitancy of Finance Ministry officials to help us had become a problem to make a meaningful report. Not that they have totally refused to cooperate with us, but they are furnishing information only if we ask. If we fail to do so, then we simply do not get the information,” he said.

The Committee has also requested for the services of an auditor to support its work and it was told that an auditor would be given from early next year. An Act that spells out the functions and powers of the Public Finance Committee will also be presented to the House early next year.

Courtesy: Daily News