Audit finds A.Dh. Atoll Council spent over MVR 600,000 on trips to Sri Lanka and the Philippines

The A.Dh. Atoll Council spent more than MVR 600,000 on overseas experience‑gaining trips in violation of government instructions, according to a new compliance audit report.

The Audit Office found that the council incurred a total expenditure of MVR 624,641 on two foreign trips, despite a government directive instructing councils to curb spending and improve efficiency.

According to the report, eight of the council’s 10 members, along with the Secretary General, travelled abroad from February 28 to March 7 last year. With no alternative funding secured, the council used MVR 238,700 from its own budget for the trip.

The audit detailed that DSA and pocket allowances for the nine individuals amounted to MVR 198,177, while airfare cost MVR 40,523.

The report stated that the spending was not in line with the Finance Ministry’s directive on controlling public expenditure.

A second trip was made from August 26 to September 4 last year, during which 10 council members travelled to the Philippines. The trip cost MVR 385,941, which the audit also deemed inconsistent with the government’s instructions to reduce expenditure by local councils.

The audit further highlighted several internal issues within the council, including significant outstanding receivables and the council’s failure to take the steps required under the Finance Rules to recover the funds.

Foreign “experience‑gaining” trips by councils have become an increasing point of criticism. Several MPs have described such visits as unnecessary and offering little benefit.