Clamp down on foreign travel
View(s):The Ministry of Finance is clamping down on officials’ foreign travel as standard procedure has not been followed in nominating officers for foreign programmes.
A 2- page circular issued by Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R.H.S Samaratunga is aimed at regulating and restricting foreign visits of Ministry officials.
It has been observed that when nominating officials for foreign programmes Training/Workshops/Conferences/ Seminars etc.), standard procedure has not been followed by institutions.
Heads of the departments have been advised to strictly comply with the relevant guidelines in the circular when nominating officers for overseas training programmes before forwarding it to the selection committee for approval, irrespective of the source of funding.
Preference should be given as far as possible to officers who have not been nominated for foreign training/ workshops/ seminars/ forums/ conferences etc. previously, the circular stipulated.
All the Heads of Department must ensure equal distribution of foreign training opportunities among officers at all levels including officials in regional offices, branches and divisions.
(Bandula)