Cabinet green lights draft bill to bring Samurdhi Banks under Govt. audit

Saturday, 10 May 2025 00:43 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Wednesday approved publishing a draft bill amending the Samurdhi Act No. 1 of 2013 in the Government Gazette, as revised by the Divinaguma (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2017 and to subsequently submit the same to Parliament for its approval.

“The proposed amendments aim to bring Samurdhi community-based banks and banking societies under the purview of Government audit,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Thursday.

He said the move is expected to strengthen financial oversight, improve transparency, and ensure greater accountability in the management of public funds within the Samurdhi welfare framework.

Originally, the Cabinet of Minister approved the proposal to proceed with the amendments on 30 December 2024 and the Attorney General has since cleared the draft bill, which was prepared by the Legal Draftsman.

The latest decision, based on a proposal submitted by the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Minister Samantha Vidyarathna to enhance regulatory governance of community financial institutions involved in social welfare delivery was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers this week.

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