Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa has accused the government of deliberately delaying the appointment of the Auditor General in an attempt to conceal fraud and corruption.
He noted that the post has remained vacant for eight months, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in state institutions. Rajapaksa also pointed out that some ministers have recently criticised the Constitutional Council after it blocked the President’s attempt to appoint a close associate to the position.
According to Rajapaksa, the delay is linked to alleged corrupt practices, including irregularities in import tender processes, the unauthorized release of 323 containers from the port, and investigations into substandard medicines. He claimed that influential figures within the government are seeking to install a preferred individual in the role to protect vested interests.
Warning of wider consequences, Rajapaksa said the absence of an Auditor General could jeopardise Sri Lanka’s access to foreign assistance. He stressed that loans and aid from institutions such as the World Bank, IMF and Asian Development Bank depend on proper auditing mechanisms.
He urged the government to urgently reconsider its approach, warning that prolonged inaction would undermine the country’s credibility and threaten its ability to secure vital international support.
