A Rejected Name Returns for Auditor General? Constitutional Council Meets Today

– Serious Doubts Surround President’s Decision

The inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Constitutional Council, comprising new members appointed under the new ‘Malima’ (NPP) government, is scheduled to be held today (30) at 2:00 PM within the Parliament complex.

Intense attention is currently focused on this meeting, specifically regarding the name the President intends to propose for the post of Auditor General—a position that has been the subject of controversy for some time.

Sidelining the Qualified to Elevate the Unfit?

Reliable political sources indicate that the President is prepared to once again propose the name of Mrs. L.S.I. Jayaratne, the Senior Deputy Auditor General of the National Audit Office. It is significant to note that her nomination was previously submitted for approval but was explicitly rejected by the Constitutional Council.

In recent days, rumors circulated that Dr. Anura Wickramasinghe, a Bursar at the Open University, was being considered for the role. However, it appears that this attempt was abandoned after it was revealed that he lacks the necessary professional qualifications for such a high-ranking position.

Serious Allegations Against L.S.I. Jayaratne

Mrs. Jayaratne, whom the President is reportedly planning to re-nominate, is an official currently facing serious allegations and ongoing investigations.

Bribery Commission Investigation:

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has initiated an investigation against her, as detailed in a letter sent to the National Audit Office dated August 4, 2025 (Ref: AC/0205/2025 B-228). The investigation centers on air tickets (UL121 and UL124) obtained for a trip to India between December 8, 2024, and December 21, 2024. Authorities are probing whether these tickets were purchased with personal funds or sponsored by a third party. Serious suspicion has arisen regarding this trip, which was purportedly undertaken to audit a branch of the Bank of Ceylon.

Private Work During Duty Hours:

Furthermore, in September 2014, while serving as a Superintendent of Audit, the Auditor General’s Department issued her a severe written warning (Ref: S1/22/Ema/06/2014) for engaging in non-official activities during duty hours.

Why was Dharmapala Gammanpila Sidelined?

 Mr. Dharmapala Gammanpila is the most senior officer in the department, known for performing his duties with a clean record and without political affiliations. Despite possessing all necessary qualifications for the Auditor General post, the President’s persistent rejection of him—in favor of an officer facing corruption allegations—has baffled many political critics.

Even the Maha Nayaka Theros (Chief Prelates) have previously advised the President regarding this matter. Against this backdrop, whose interest is the government serving by attempting such an arbitrary decision? The country deserves to know: what ulterior motive is the government trying to fulfill by undermining the integrity of the highly responsible position of Auditor General?