COPA flags textbook printing irregularities

Saturday, 4 July 2026 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Highlights Rs. 212 m financial irregularity dating back to 2002; CIABOC investigates matter

Education Ministry and Department of Educational Publication officials say series of reforms including computerisation introduced to prevent similar problems

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has uncovered a series of longstanding issues in the printing, distribution and financial management of school textbooks, including an unresolved Rs. 212 million financial irregularity dating back to 2002 and delays in legal action to recover losses from a printing contractor.

The issues came to light when COPA reviewed the Auditor General’s reports and the performance of the Department of Educational Publications for the 2021–2024 period.

The meeting, chaired by Acting Chairman MP Chandana Suriyarachchi in the absence of Committee Chairman MP Kabir Hashim, heard that the printing institution and its Directors linked to the 2002 irregularity could not be traced.

Officials informed the Committee that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) is investigating the matter and disciplinary action has been taken against responsible officials.

COPA also questioned delays in legal proceedings to recover compensation from a printing house that failed to deliver textbooks on time in 2006, while raising concerns over surplus textbook stocks and increased transport costs caused by inaccurate estimates of textbook requirements.

Education Ministry and Department of Educational Publications officials said a series of reforms have been introduced to prevent similar problems. These include a new computerised database from 2024 to capture school enrolment, textbook inventories and reusable books, alongside automated systems for textbook procurement, warehouse management, distribution and inventory control.

Officials also said measures are underway to network bookstores, introduce secure digital access systems, strengthen textbook quality assurance and upgrade the e-Thaksalawa platform with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. They expressed confidence that the reforms would improve transparency, accountability and efficiency while reducing financial irregularities in the textbook printing and distribution process.