The Professionals’ National Front (PNF) accused the Government of eroding constitutional governance by failing for more than eight months to appoint a permanent Auditor General, instead relying on a succession of short-term acting appointments.
Issuing a statement, PNF Chairman Kapila Perera described the delay as “a failure of State accountability” and “a violation of the Constitution,” noting that the prolonged vacancy weakens a central pillar of public oversight at a time when public trust has already been shaken in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
The post became vacant on April 8, 2025, following the retirement of the former Auditor General.
Since then, the Government has issued a series of acting appointments: a 14-day appointment on April 9, a 30-day extension on April 23, a six-month extension on May 24 and another 14-day extension on November 23.
According to the PNF, the repeated extensions amount to a deliberate effort by the President to maintain control over the position, compromising its independence.
“This continuous failure to appoint a permanent Auditor General is a deliberate attempt to undermine the independence of the post. Such conduct represents a breakdown of the fundamental principles of democratic governance,” the statement said.
Under Sri Lanka’s Constitution, the Auditor General is responsible for ensuring financial accountability across State institutions.
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