• Karu warns against politicisation 

Noting that the Auditor General’s (AG) Department has thus far remained an institution with no issues, the main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), questioned President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s nominations for the post of the AG. The SJB questioned as to why the President took steps to nominate to the post someone who is connected to the Government.

SJB Parliamentarian Nalin Bandara Jayamaha posed these questions during a press briefing held yesterday (22) in Colombo. He pointed out that the President’s nomination for the post has been rejected by the Constitutional Council (CC) for the second time. He claimed that no leader has attempted to get their acquaintances appointed to the AG’s Department.

Speaking further about the matter, he expressed disapproval of taking steps to appoint to the post of AG a friend of the Government from the University of Kelaniya who has questionable experience concerning the AG post, remains a member of the Board of Directors of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, and is connected with the National People’s Power. This, he added, is despite the existence of a Senior Deputy AG with 30 years of experience in the AG’s Department.

“Although the attempt to make the appointment of the AG a political one was defeated at the CC, there is a critical discourse in the society about the matter,” Jayamaha added.

Meanwhile, claiming that the CC’s rejection of the name proposed for the post of the AG could create the perception of an attempt to politicise the appointment, the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) has urged the Government to act wisely and transparently in making such a key decision.

It was reported on Wednesday (21) that the name nominated by President Dissanayake for the AG post was not approved by the CC. Responding to this, the NMSJ stated that in moments like these, it is important for the Government to handle matters with care and not take any action that goes against the Constitution.

In a statement which was shared with The Daily Morning, NMSJ Leader and former Speaker of the Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya noted that one of the primary duties of the CC is to ensure that individuals appointed to high-level state positions are independent and qualified. While the public may not always be fully aware of the credentials of those nominated – whether from inside the AG’s Department or from outside – he said that the Government must take seriously the reasons as to why the CC did not approve the nominee.

He warned that failing to do so could damage public trust and even affect how the international community views Sri Lanka’s commitment to good governance. "This kind of situation may raise doubts about whether there is an attempt to politicise what should remain an independent and neutral post. Such actions could also reflect poorly on the President and affect the country’s credibility with foreign investors and international institutions like the International Monetary Fund, especially at a time when Sri Lanka is trying to rebuild its economy."

Jayasuriya pointed to a similar situation during the previous administration, when an attempt to appoint an Apex Court Judge was halted due to backlash from the civil society – a reminder, he said, of the importance of listening to public and institutional concerns. He urged the Government to ensure that the independence, integrity, and competence of individuals in such roles are not compromised, especially at a time when the country is facing multiple crises.