LALITH AMBANWELA SPEAKS

“Out of the institutes I have audited so far, 90% have been full of corruption”

“I lost an eye due to the acid attack but my wife and children didn’t leave me”

“My daughter became the Island’s first from one subject at the AAT exam”

Lalith Ambanwela was an honest government servant who was attacked ten years ago. He was not afraid of any threats. He considered it a duty to reveal all the corruption and fraudulent activities happening in the country. Yet an unfortunate incident took place ten years ago as acid was thrown on his face and he lost an eye after facing the attack. The following are excerpts from an interview given by him in January in the year 2008 to a newspaper.
Full name: Ambanwela Herath Mudiyanselage Lalith Ambanwela.
Birth day: 23.12.1957
Born in: Napana Gunnepana, Kandy
Mother: Ambagasptitya Walawwe Bandara Menike
Father: Tikiri Banda Herath
Siblings: 8 including me. 6 sisters  and 2 boys. I was the fifth.
Education at:  Gunnepana Junior Vidyalaya. O/L at Matale  S. Thomas’ College. A/L at Walala Madhya Maha Vidyalaya and entered Sri Jayawardenapura University.
What did you study for your degree?
Management Subjects
What were your special talents?
In school I did Athletics/ I worked in several societies. I was more interested in studies.
Parents: Father was a clerk and he passed away in 1973. He worked as an administration officer in the hospital when he died. Mother was a teacher.
Was there any special reason for you to select the Commerce stream?
Since my father was a government servant, I was very interested in joining the public service.
How did you join service as an audit officer?
I sat for an open exam and having passed the exam joined the government Audit department on 05th February 1986.
Did your education support you on a practical basis?
Yes of course. We got training at the university regarding auditing and I have learnt at Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Do you have a post graduate degree?
I did a diploma at the Institute of Chartered Accountancy. I earned a scholarship and proceeded to England in 1995.
Where did you first work?
At Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, at Horana Regional office. .
How much frauds have you caught do far?
Out of the institutes I have audited, 90% were corrupted.
For how many have you taken legal actions against them?
I have submitted all the cases into the hands of law. Our duty was only to audit. We didn’t have control over them beyond that. There were occasions in which justice was called for.
In which year did you get a transfer to the office at the University of Peradeniya?
In the year 1988
Weren’t you afraid when you undertook that job?
I was a bit excited. Since the officers had been getting death threats, the office too was closed. The department advised me to open the office and commence work. Yet, I was a bit scared.
Haven’t you got experience as an Audit Officer in hospitals?
I got a transfer to Peradeniya Central Provincial Council in 1991. I have audited some hospitals while I was working there.
When did you get death threats?
I have worked in several government institutes. Once there was an audit called “Valuing money”. Many corruptions were caught at that and some officers were interdicted. I guess that would have created a lot of enemies for me. When we audit and find the income, we can tax them and the government gets that money. Auditors have power over the institutes governed by Provincial Councils. Some claim that they have been building houses, but when we go and check we don’t see any houses. When I was working in Matale, some officers were against me. If we are doing the right thing many stand against you and that is a normal thing.
Are there any institutes that have changed after an audit?
Yes. We have been able to discipline many institutes in the Central Province. There was an up rise in the public service. Every institute should be audited to implement that discipline.
Have you been threatened before this attack?
Yes. On the 07.02.2002, when I went to the office, someone had broken into the office and they have taken some documents. I tried to take action against that incident but nothing worked out.
When did you face the acid attack?
It was on the 20th May 2002. I was travelling home in my car.
How were you injured?
I had injuries to my face and eyes. I lost one eye and I am still medicating my other eye. I underwent 6 surgeries for my eye and the face is still a wound and is distorted.
How is your family life?
My wife is Chandrika Wijesundara. She is dedicated to me and my two children are the same. My relatives too are still close to me and nobody has left me so far.
I am lucky and fortunate to have them around me.
Are your daughters also interested auditing just like you?
They have respected my job. My eldest daughter is doing her A/L exam this year. My younger daughter who is in grade 9, is a chess player. She had won in many international games. My eldest daughter became the Island first from one subject, management communication at the AAT exam. I am proud of my children.
What do you think of the incident you had to face because you were an honest officer?
I am proud that I did my duty well. Even though I had to die I will still be proud to be an honest man. If everyone works honestly we can save the country from corruption and bribery. I believe that sacrificing oneself for money is a way of destroying one’s satisfaction.
What are your future hopes?
I am an experienced Audit Officer. I hope I can report to work as soon as I recover.
Newspaper Article: Thushari Kalubowila