Next Auditor General: A political stooge?

By W.G. Chandrapala, (Ex- Banker)

It is almost six weeks since Auditor General S. C. Mayadunne retired from service. But the government has so far taken little or no action to fill this important post. It has allowed the Auditor General’s Department to continue its work without a permanent head.

According to trade union officials, the general practice is to appoint the deputy to this post when the AG retires. It is doubtful now whether this tradition will be observed because the Independent Public Service Commission is non-functional.

It is alleged that the government is purposely delaying this appointment because the former Auditor General has disclosed massive corruption and malpractices in government institutions in his annual report. Is there a hidden agenda to appoint a political stooge to this high post?

The independence of the government institutions is vital for good governance. This requirement also has been identified by the SLFP and UNP delegations which are holding discussions to implement a common agenda for administration.

It is alleged that political leaders purposely delayed the appointments to the Constitutional Council while the JVP and the TNA bickered as to who should be appointed as the last member to the CC. Now the JVP is silent and does not oppose the political appointments made by the President to important posts in government institutions.

Professional associations, civil society activists and the public should protest against the moves to appoint political stooges to top government posts and demand that the government restore the CC in the national interest. The general public also should get together with the above associations for this purpose.