Customs spends Rs 128 Mn on Post-Graduate courses for 323 officers, only 149 complete: Audit Report

• Lack of information regarding completion status of remaining officers highlighted

By Sujith Hewajulige

Out of 323 customs officers who had completed post-graduate courses at the cost of Rs. 128 million from the Management and Compensation fund of the Sri Lanka Customs, only 149 had completed the courses and submitted their certificates in a period of six years, the latest report (2024) issued by the National Audit Office revealed.

“In a period of six years from the year 2017 to the year 2022, the amount spent from the management and compensation fund for postgraduate courses was Rs.127,466,286. Although 323 officers had studied the courses by December 31, 2022, only 149 officers had completed the courses and submitted their certificates,” the report stated.

According to the report – under the heading – ‘Special Audit on the Management/Administration of various funds in Sri Lanka Customs’ also revealed that information was not available with the department on whether the remaining officers successfully completed the course or dropped out, and there was no follow-up system.