It was observed through a number of discussions and meetings of the project on Reconnecting Citizens in Local Authorities in the Northern Province that officers routinely encounter problems in the understanding and application of accounting procedures and processes and financial transaction in Pradeshiya Sabhas. Such financial matters may end up in court and result in serious surcharges. Therefore for the first time in Sri Lanka a publication such as this one has been issued in the three main languages to address the above mentioned issues. It is our belief that this book will help promote Accountability and Transparency in Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka.
Following the conclusion of war, the situation in the Northern Province is changing dramatically through post war planning processes and with these initiatives, the regional landscape of the Northern Province, including governance structures is set to undergo an era of exemplary transformation in the near future.
It is for all these above reasons that this publication on Accounting Procedures relating to Pradeshiya Sabha has been compiled in a very simple and accessible manner in all the three languages. We believe that this booklet will be useful to all members who are elected newly to the LGAs, new officers appointed for LGA and Officers who are transferred to LGAs.
I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to this valuable work including Mr. H.G.C. Cyril. Jayatissa, former Assistant Commissioner of Local Government (Senior Consultant – Legal and Local Governance), a number of other Chairmen, elected members and officials of Local Government Authorities in Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Jaffna districts, and to my colleagues in the Governance Programme Unit.
Sriyanie Wijesundara
Governance Programme September 2013