Sri Lanka
Groups Doing Budget Work in Sri Lanka
Library Publications About Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Open Budget Survey Results
Open Budget Survey 2017
- Downloads:
- Country Summary Questionnaire
IBP considers countries that score above 60 on the Open Budget Index as providing sufficient budget information to enable the public to engage in budget discussions in an informed manner. IBP considers countries scoring above 60 on participation and oversight as providing adequate opportunities for the public to participate in the budget process and providing adequate oversight practices, respectively.
Transparency (Open Budget Index)
44
out of 100
Sri Lanka provides the public with limited budget information.
How Has the Open Budget Index Score Changed Over Time?
Recommendations for Improving Transparency
Sri Lanka should prioritize the following actions to improve budget transparency:
- Publish a Pre-Budget Statement and an Audit Report online.
- Produce and publish a Citizens Budget and a Mid-Year Review.
- Provide detailed data on the financial position of the government and increase information on performance and policy in the Executive’s Budget Proposal.
Public Participation
11
out of 100
Sri Lanka provides few opportunities for the public to engage in the budget process.
Recommendations for Improving Participation
Sri Lanka should prioritize the following actions to improve public participation in its budget process:
- Pilot mechanisms for members of the public and executive branch officials to exchange views on national budget matters during the monitoring of the implementation of the national budget. These mechanisms could build on innovations, such as participatory budgeting and social audits. For examples of such mechanisms, see fiscaltransparency.net/mechanisms.
- Hold legislative hearings on the formulation of the annual budget, during which members of the public or civil society organizations can testify.
- Establish formal mechanisms for the public to assist the supreme audit institution in formulating its audit program and to participate in relevant audit investigations.
Budget Oversight (by Legislature & Audit)
50
out of 100
The legislature and supreme audit institution in Sri Lanka provide limited oversight of the budget.
The legislature provides limited oversight during the budget cycle. This score reflects that the legislature provides limited oversight during the planning stage of the budget cycle and weak oversight during the implementation stage of the budget cycle.
The supreme audit institution provides adequate budget oversight.
Recommendations for Improving Oversight
Sri Lanka should prioritize the following actions to make budget oversight more effective:
- Ensure the legislature holds a debate on budget policy prior to the tabling of the Executive’s Budget Proposal and approves recommendations for the upcoming budget.
- Ensure a legislative committee examines and publishes reports on in-year budget implementation online.
- Require legislative or judicial approval to appoint the head of the supreme audit institution.
- Consider setting up an independent fiscal institution to further strengthen budget oversight.
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