The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC), chaired by the Leader of the Opposition Hon. Bernard Georges, convened an important meeting with the Auditor General Mr. Gamini Herath to scrutinize the budget for the Office of the Auditor General for the year 2026 as a crucial part of the budgetary process to maintain the independence of the OAG as a Supreme Audit Institution. Mr. Herath was accompanied by the Director of Admin and Finance Mrs. Nancy Ramkalwan.
The Committee met to deliberate on the 2026 budget estimates for the OAG, as provided for in the Appropriation Bill, 2026 now before the House for Second Reading. Following an opening presentation by the Auditor General on primary expenses and cost-saving measures, Members reviewed comprehensive financial variance reports prepared by parliamentary service staff providing support to the Committee. These documents highlighted shifting financial trends since 2023, and the Members then raised several inquiries regarding the impact of the proposed budget cuts on the OAG’s operations.
This consultation was conducted in accordance with the requirements of Section 25 of the Auditor General’s Act which stipulates that the FPAC shall consider and may propose amendments and recommendations regarding estimates of sums required for the forthcoming year for the budget of the OAG.
These discussions also highlight the essential collaborative relationship between the FPAC and the OAG as one of the Committee’s key stakeholders, fulfilling an international best practice for the functioning of Public Accounts Committees and Supreme Audit Institutions across the world.
Furthermore, the meeting addressed the way forward, emphasizing continued engagement and collaboration between the FPAC and the OAG. The meeting was presided over by Hon. Georges, who was joined by Vice-Chairperson Hon. Churchill Gill and Committee Members Hon. Georges Romain, Hon. Cecile Larsen, Hon. Sandy Arissol, Hon. Conrad Gabriel and Hon. Gerry Sopha. Technical and administrative support was provided by the Deputy Clerk Ms. Alexandria Faure, alongside Parliamentary Service Staff Ms. Ranisha Chetty and Ms. Lucy Michel.
