admincountry, the government information department said yesterday.
The government said it has also been made compulsory for all NGOs operating in the country to register themselves with the Office for the Registration of Non-Governmental Organisations.
“This step is being taken to thwart certain NGOs from hatching conspiracies to effect regime change by engaging in politics in the guise of doing social work in the country,” the information department said.
Director General of Media Centre for National Security Lakshman Hulugalle was quoted by the information department as saying that strict legal action will be taken against NGOs failing to comply with the registration rule and it will also result in the eviction of such NGOs.
Hulugalle said that currently, there are nearly 100 NGOs operating in the country, and a large number of them have been identified to be surreptitiously engaging in activities inimical to the state by hatching various conspiracies through opposition politicians.
Investigations have also revealed that some of them had fraudulently evaded registration as NGOs and obtained registration from the Department for the Registrar of Companies as non-profit organisations by duping certain officials.
NGOs have been told to submit a report to the government listing their role, staff and funding and donations received from abroad, their manner of expenditure and their proposals and plans. Their assets should also be registered with the relevant unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. – Xinhua.
Online Reporter