Misappropriating and mismanaging public funds

LONG-DELAYED convictions of past politicians and public servants for misappropriating tax Rupees have begun. Some have already received lengthy jail sentences. Others are in custody awaiting indictments and trials.

- By Prianka Nalin Seneviratne

The media say that the Government will soon release a list of conmen to be indicted. When the total national tax revenue was only Rs. 2 billion in 2024, mis-appropriating even 1% of it is not only criminal but defies a core principle of every religion in the nation. Likewise, mismanaging public resources is costly and those responsible must be penalised.

Penalising for mismanagement is not easy, but the culture of waste must change for the country to develop. The President has emphasised the need for efficient allocation and utilisation of scarce resources, but the measures proposed are auctioning unused vehicles and office furniture and relocating Government institutions to State-owned buildings. Productivity or output improvement is not on the list of things to do.