News

TISL, civil society flay NPP govt. for holding up Auditor General’s appointment

Published

3 months ago

2025/12/19

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and several other activists have censured President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his government over their failure to finalise the appointment of a new Auditor General.

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the other activists mentioned below, express serious concern over the continued failure of the President to ensure the timely appointment of the Auditor General, leaving Sri Lanka’s supreme audit institution without stable leadership for an extended period of time. This delay comes at a moment when public trust, financial accountability, and robust oversight are not only constitutionally required, but urgently needed.

Text of their statement: “The office of the Auditor General is a cornerstone of democratic governance. As Sri Lanka’s Supreme Audit Institution, it plays a vital role in safeguarding public resources by independently auditing the use, management, and performance of public funds. A strong and independent Auditor General enables Parliament and the public to scrutinise government expenditure, identify irregularities, prevent misuse of funds, and ensure that those entrusted with public resources are held to account. Without a permanently appointed Auditor General, the effectiveness, authority, and independence of the entire public audit system are weakened – creating space for inefficiency, mismanagement, and corruption.

This institutional vacuum is particularly alarming in the context of the multiple crises Sri Lanka continues to face. The country is currently responding to the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah, which has triggered emergency relief efforts, humanitarian assistance, and the mobilisation of significant public and external funds. Disaster response and recovery inevitably involve rapid procurement, emergency spending, and complex fund flows across multiple state agencies. In such circumstances, strong oversight mechanisms are indispensable to ensure that resources are allocated transparently, utilised efficiently, and reach affected communities without delay or diversion. The absence of a permanently appointed Auditor General undermines confidence in the proper financial management, disbursement, and monitoring of disaster-related funds at a time when public accountability is most critical.

Sri Lanka’s Constitution recognises the Auditor General as an independent authority, insulated from executive interference precisely to ensure credible oversight of public finance. However, since the retirement of the former Auditor General in April 2025, the country has witnessed a prolonged reliance on short-term acting appointments. This pattern of repeated temporary extensions, rather than a timely permanent appointment, risks eroding the institutional independence of the National Audit Office and weakening its ability to exercise oversight without fear or favour. Acting appointments, by their very nature, create uncertainty and can compromise the perception, and independence that is essential for effective audit functions.

This failure is further compounded by the fact that the country is at the end of the financial year – a critical period when public institutions are required to finalise accounts and submit their annual audit reports. The Auditor General plays a central role in guiding, reviewing, and validating this process, ensuring consistency, credibility, and accountability across the public sector. In the absence of a permanently appointed Auditor General, the entire audit cycle risks becoming fragmented and weakened, disrupting oversight and undermining the integrity of public financial accountability. This breakdown of this stage of the accountability chain creates serious vulnerabilities in the oversight of public institutions and public spending, precisely at a moment when fiscal discipline, transparency, and public confidence are most needed.

The sequence of events following the retirement of the previous Auditor General points to a broader political inertia and a governance failure. Despite the clear constitutional importance of the role, the appointment process has remained protracted and opaque, raising serious questions about political will and commitment to accountability. This situation places additional responsibility on the Constitutional Council, which is mandated to act as a safeguard against politicisation and to ensure that key independent offices are filled through transparent, merit-based processes.

In this regard, TISL, CSOs and the other activists mentioned below emphasis the urgent need for clear, publicly articulated guidelines and criteria governing appointments to constitutionally independent offices such as the Auditor General. Transparent criteria, grounded in professional competence, seniority, integrity, and demonstrated independence, are essential to protect the credibility of the appointment process and to maintain public confidence in oversight institutions. Clear standards also strengthen the Constitutional Council’s ability to discharge its mandate effectively, resist undue influence, and ensure that appointments serve the public interest.

The prolonged failure to appoint the Auditor General is not a procedural oversight; it is a substantive governance lapse with far-reaching implications. At a time of economic fragility, fiscal constraint, and heightened disaster vulnerability, Sri Lanka cannot afford weakened or compromised audit oversight. Strong public financial management, effective anti-corruption safeguards, and accountable crisis response all depend on a fully empowered and independent supreme audit institution.

TISL, the CSOs and the other activists mentioned below call on the President and all relevant authorities to act without further delay to ensure the appointment of a suitably qualified, independent Auditor General through a transparent and constitutionally sound process. Restoring the full functioning of this critical institution is essential to upholding democratic accountability, protecting public resources, and rebuilding public trust in state institutions – especially at a time when the country can least afford their erosion.

Endorsed by: Ambitious Institution for Moral Generation, Asia Lanka Social Development Cooperation, Association of War Affected Women (AWAW), Centre for Human Rights and Development, Centre for Policy Alternatives, Child Vision Sri Lanka – Puttalam, Eastern Social Development Foundation (ESDF), Human Rights Law Chambers, Institute of Social Development, Mannar Women’s Development Federation, Muslim Women Development Trust, Rural Development Foundation, Sisterhood initiative and alliance for minorities, Transparency International Sri Lanka, Woman Lanka Network, Women and Media Collective, Women’s Action Network, Abdul Majeed Mohammed Ziyad, Ambika Satkunanathan, B. Gowthaman, Ermiza Tegal, Peter Rezel, Ruki Fernando, Sandun Thudugala, Sheila Richards, Sudaraka Arthanayake, and Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne.”

All News Advertisement

Latest News

A new curriculum will be introduced for preschools in 2027, while steps will also be taken to train teachers accordingly – PM

Published

22 mins ago

2026/03/16

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a new curriculum will be introduced for preschools in 2027, while steps will also be taken to train teachers accordingly and to regulate preschools through a regulatory authority.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing an awareness programme for preschool teachers in the Hambantota District on education reforms, held on Sunday (15) at the Ambalantota Pradeshiya Sabha Auditorium.

During the programme, preschool teachers briefed the Prime Minister about the challenges they currently face. Responding to their concerns, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:

“The issues within the preschool system cannot be discussed separately from the broader crisis in society and in the education sector. When we assumed office in 2024, our primary challenge was to free the country from its debt burden and to establish. a sound economic indicators.

Although 2025 was a challenging year, we were able to bring the country’s economy to a certain level of stability and manage the national budget accordingly.

While we were working towards economic recovery, the war in the Middle East began, which has had certain impacts on our country as well.

A significant amount of Sri Lanka’s foreign remittances come from our fellow citizens working in the Middle East. Today, both their livelihoods and employment are under threat. In addition, a large number of tourists travelled to Sri Lanka through Middle Eastern airspace, and the closure of those air routes and airports has reduced tourist arrivals. Another issue concerns fuel transportation. This problem has affected not only Sri Lanka but many countries around the world. If the war continues for a long period, it will have further impacts on us, and therefore we must be prepared. We also need to manage the economy carefully and reduce certain expenditures.

Although we have the ability to borrow, our intention is not to weaken the country’s economy by relying on loans.

You are aware that we have begun implementing education reforms. Within that policy framework, we are also taking steps to reform preschool education. So far, the establishment of preschools and early childhood development has not been carried out in a systematic manner. Therefore, we must regulate and standardize all preschools, which is not an easy task.

First, all preschools must be formally registered. We have already prepared a curriculum for teacher training. In addition, we plan to introduce a new curriculum for preschools in 2027, provide teacher training accordingly, and regulate preschools through a regulatory authority. A recognized curriculum has also been prepared for the preschool diploma. In the future, priority for preschool teachers will be given based on these qualifications. We will also take gradual steps to enhance the professionalism of preschool teachers and establish a proper salary structure”.

The Prime Minister further stated that preschools fall under the authority of Provincial Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas, while the line ministry can only provide policy recommendations. She also emphasized that issues related to preschools should be addressed in a systematic manner through structural committees and District Development Committees.

Member of Parliament Nihal Galappaththi and other public representatives, along with preschool teachers from the Hambantota District attended the awareness program.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Be mindful of the accuracy of information before sharing it on social media – PM

Published

1 hour ago

2026/03/16

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the weakening of public trust in information disseminated through the media is extremely dangerous for a society, and emphasized that people must be mindful of the truthfulness of information before sharing it on social media.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the “Sandeshaya” Media Awards Ceremony held on 14 March at the Kularathne Hall of Ananda College, Colombo. The event was organized with the aim of providing Sri Lankan school students with an opportunity to actively contribute to the national media discourse while promoting ethics, responsibility, and critical thinking.

During the “Sandeshaya” Awards Ceremony , lifetime awards granted only once in a lifetime were presented to distinguished veterans in the media field, while media awards were also presented to talented students in the school category. The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Prime Minister.

Expressing her views further, the Prime Minister stated:

“We live in an era where information technology and the media are changing rapidly. Along with these changes, many opportunities have emerged, but we are also confronted with numerous challenges.

We must prepare our younger generation to live in a society and a world transformed by information technology and the media.

When we observe the changes taking place in the media today, we can say that the media and information have become democratized. In the past, access to knowledge and information was largely limited to privileged or powerful groups. The authority to communicate information and decide what should be disseminated was held by a small group. However, with the advancement of technology, this has changed dramatically. As a result of this revolutionary transformation, information, data, and knowledge have now become accessible to everyone. In that sense, it is a positive development.

At the same time, we are no longer merely media viewers or consumers. As citizens, we can also become media creators. Citizens now have significant space to engage with the media and share information. While this is positive in one sense, it also carries certain dangers. There are serious questions, issues, and challenges regarding responsibility and credibility in the dissemination of information. Today, information flows so rapidly that it is sometimes difficult to determine what is true. Making decisions has become increasingly challenging. Not only in our country but globally, there have been many instances where societies have been set ablaze due to misinformation or deliberately distorted information. We have witnessed numerous occasions where people’s lives have been destroyed as a result.

Sometimes, without even realizing it, we get trapped on the internet. We share various things through our social media platforms, both necessary and unnecessary. However, what we often forget is that a large amount of personal information accumulates on the internet through these actions. Once incorrect information becomes widespread in this way, it becomes extremely difficult to erase.

The spread of false information weakens public trust in the information provided by the media, and this is extremely dangerous for a society. For the sustainability of a society, it is essential to maintain trust among citizens and trust in the institutions that influence people’s lives. Only through the trust we can safeguard the sustainability, continuity, and security of a society.

However, what has happened today due to the spread of misinformation? We no longer have confidence in our leaders. We do not even trust elders. There is doubt about whether the news we receive can be trusted. When credibility weakens within a society, it can push that society into crisis.

Therefore, it is extremely important to cultivate a culture that strengthens trust in leadership, promotes confidence in elders, and enhances awareness about reliable sources of information. In this context, those entering the field of media carry a significant responsibility.

Just like the senior professionals we honored today, you too may one day enter this field. However, there is a vast difference between the era in which they entered the profession and the era you will enter. You will carry a unique responsibility to strengthen the credibility of the media and to stand firmly behind the information you present.

You must be able to stand by the information you provide. You must reflect on whether the information you share is true and who might be affected by it. Ensuring the credibility of the information you disseminate is also your responsibility.

Similarly, as users of any form of media, we all bear a responsibility to verify the reliability of the information we receive and to be aware of how to distinguish between truth and falsehood. That is why digital literacy and media literacy are essential. It is also for this reason that we believe such subjects and concepts must be incorporated into education reforms so that our student generation can learn them.’

The Prime Minister further stated that citizens have a responsibility to be mindful of the truthfulness of information before sharing content found on the internet and social media with others.

The event was attended by the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Anil Jasinghe, Principal of Ananda College D.M.L.P. Dissanayake, journalists, principals, teachers, and students.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

Latest News

Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya districts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 15 March 2026, valid for 16 March 2026.

The public is warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at
some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491