The new government is taking decisive action to investigate government IT projects worth an estimated US$4 billion that are reportedly plagued by corruption and malpractice, with the aim of holding those responsible accountable.
A senior adviser from the National People’s Power (NPP) revealed to The Sunday Times Business on Thursday that the government is working to establish a special committee to scrutinize these issues in the IT sector. “The IT sector is a key focus for us as we seek to uncover corruption from previous regimes. We have already consulted with several leading IT professionals to assist in untangling the complexities of these government projects,” the adviser stated. He further mentioned the government’s intention to overhaul the Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SL CERT).
Among the projects to be thoroughly investigated is the National Identity Card (NIC) Project, which has faced significant criticism over delays, cost overruns, and allegations of corruption in the awarding of contracts to certain vendors. Additionally, initiatives such as the e-Sewa (Digital Governance), Sri Lanka’s Health Information System (HIS), the e-passport system, online visa services, and other public sector automation projects have been criticized for poor planning and execution, leading to wasted resources and ineffective results.
Investigations are already underway into the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) by the Bribery and Corruption Authority, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Government Audit Bureau following allegations of corruption and malpractice. Meanwhile, the Department of Registrar of Companies (DRC) is experiencing delays in company incorporations despite the implementation of a new IT system, which officials have reportedly mismanaged.
The adviser added that the team is continuously receiving new information on these projects, with reports of additional issues emerging. He also highlighted that many of these initiatives have violated government procurement guidelines. “Once the special IT committee is formed, we plan to review each project in detail and conduct a forensic audit to determine the extent of the corruption,” he concluded.
