AG’s department has commenced forensic audit – Perera

Following the instructions given by Sports Minister Harin Fernando the Auditor General’s Department has now commenced a forensic audit on the financial transactions of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) from 2016-2018, SLC competent authority and Sports Ministry secretary Chulananda Perera said yesterday.

“Minister Fernando gave instructions to conduct a forensic audit at the end of January this year and the forensic audit commenced work on it last Sunday,” said Perera at a media conference held at the Sports Ministry premises yesterday related to the SLC elections which is due to be held on February 21.

While observing that the forensic report was due within two weeks’ time from the day the instructions were given, Perera said the submission date of the report will perhaps exceed the given deadline since the audit commenced a little later than expected.

“We took some time to discuss this matter with the AG. Accordingly I held a round of discussions with the AG last week. We wanted the AG’s Department to conduct this forensic audit, without us having to give it to a private firm. As a government servant, it is the most reliable option I have. AG in return, showed much enthusiasm and accepted the task.” Perera explained.

Perera also expressed his confidence that the forensic report will be an extensive and a detailed one. Asked if the AG’s Department had not already audited the report, Perera said that a forensic audit differs from a regular audit in both nature and methodology.

“These are two different investigations. The methodology is different, the officers involved in it are different and the way it is conducted is also different,” Perera furthered stated.

A forensic accounting is a specialized branch of accounting that requires training in fraud detection. A forensic audit examines the audited institute’s system of internal control to identify any weakness in the control designed to safeguard assets and to determine whether anyone in the company has exploited control weaknesses to misappropriate assets for personal gain.

Perera said that they will be able to hold the SLC election on February 21 at 10.00 a.m. at the ministry premises as planned.

“If we are unable to hold the election on February 21, we may have to seek legal advice or the Ministry will have to discuss the matter with the ICC. We held a round of discussions with the police and observers. We will be holding the final round of discussions with the elections committee today,” he further stated.

Speaking of the candidates who had their nominations rejected by the Sports Ministry appointed Appeal Committee, Perera said they have the right to seek legal counsel and the ministry will abide by whatever decision the judiciary gives.

When questioned on the Sports Ministry appointed Appeal Committee’s composition, Perera assured that the composition and the conduct of the committee is credible and transparent.