Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), together with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and activists, has expressed serious concern over the continued failure to appoint a permanent Auditor General, leaving the country’s supreme audit institution without stable leadership since April 2025.
In a joint statement, the groups warned that the delay undermines public trust, financial accountability, and robust oversight at a time when these are urgently needed. They stressed that the Auditor General’s office is a cornerstone of democratic governance, tasked with safeguarding public resources by independently auditing government expenditure and ensuring accountability.
The absence of a permanent appointment, they noted, weakens the authority and independence of the National Audit Office, creating space for inefficiency, mismanagement, and corruption. This concern is heightened as Sri Lanka responds to the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah, which has triggered emergency relief efforts and the mobilisation of significant public and external funds. Strong oversight, they said, is indispensable to ensure disaster-related resources are managed transparently and reach affected communities.
Since the retirement of the former Auditor General in April, the country has relied on short-term acting appointments. TISL and CSOs cautioned that repeated temporary extensions erode institutional independence and compromise the credibility of audit functions. They also highlighted that the delay comes at the end of the financial year, when public institutions are required to finalise accounts and submit audit reports, making the Auditor General’s role critical.
The statement pointed to political inertia and governance failure in the appointment process, raising questions about the government’s commitment to accountability. It called on the Constitutional Council to act decisively, ensuring that independent offices are filled through transparent, merit-based processes.
TISL and CSOs urged the adoption of clear, publicly articulated criteria for appointments to constitutionally independent offices, grounded in competence, integrity, and independence. They emphasized that restoring the full functioning of the Auditor General’s office is essential to upholding democratic accountability, protecting public resources, and rebuilding public trust in state institutions. (Newswire)
