PARLIAMENT

Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne today (Sep. 22) endorsed the certificate on the National Audit (Amendment) Bill.

The National Audit (Amendment) Bill was presented to Parliament on 2025.07.08 and was passed in Parliament with amendments on 11.09.2025 This National Audit (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018.

Accordingly, the main objective of these amendments are to provide provisions for the establishment of a Surcharge Review Committee including its composition, time limits, and procedures, for the purpose of making decisions regarding the imposition of surcharges recommended by the Auditor General.

Further, empowering the Auditor General to lodge complaints with law enforcement institutions regarding fraud or corruption, and extending the time period for submitting the Annual Detailed Management Audit Report from five months to six months, are among the key changes.

In addition, the amendments also make provisions to substantially increase the punishments for persons committing offences under Sections 42 and 43 of the principal enactment.

Accordingly, this National Audit (Amendment) Bill comes into effect as the National Audit (Amendment) Act, No. 19 of 2025.