Absence of AG during post disaster situation disturbing, Harsha tells President

Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman Harsha de Silva in a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has informed him that absence of an Auditor General during a post disaster situation is disturbing.

“Government has already set up the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’. Question arises as to who would audit the fund. Also it is important to incorporate the fund in Parliament. It will be possible to audit the fund only if it is incorporated by the legislature. There should be an Auditor General to monitor and audit 'Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund', Dr. De Silva said in his letter.

The MP therefore urged the President to appoint an Auditor General as soon as possible.

He reminded the President that power over finances are vested with the legislature as per Article 148 of the constitution.

“I have been informed by the President’s Secretary that the President had received my letter. However, the President had failed to act on it to this date,” MP de Silva told media.

He said the letter was sent to the President after discussing the issue with the members of COPF.

The tenure of the acting Auditor General lapsed on December 6 this year. Appointment of a permanent Auditor General has run into a crisis as a number of names nominated by the President has been rejected by the Constitutional Council.