With Sri Lanka’s top audit post left vacant for months, concerns are mounting that accountability, transparency, and public trust are being quietly eroded at a critical moment for the country.
Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has raised serious concerns over the continued absence of a permanent Auditor General, warning that the country’s supreme audit institution has been operating without stable leadership since April this year.
In a formal statement, the organization said the prolonged delay in appointing a permanent Auditor General undermines public trust, fiscal accountability, and effective oversight of state finances. TISL stressed that the Office of the Auditor General is a cornerstone of democratic governance, tasked with independently auditing government expenditure and safeguarding public resources.
The organization cautioned that leaving this position unfilled weakens the authority and independence of the National Audit Office, creating room for inefficiency, mismanagement, and corruption. According to TISL, strong and independent audit leadership is essential to ensure that public funds are used responsibly and transparently.
These concerns are especially significant as Sri Lanka continues to respond to the impacts of Cyclone Ditva. Emergency relief operations and recovery efforts have required the rapid mobilization of substantial public funds and external assistance. Transparency International Sri Lanka noted that in such circumstances, strong oversight mechanisms are critical to ensure disaster-related resources are properly managed and reach affected communities without delay or misuse.
Following the retirement of the former Auditor General in April, an Acting Auditor General was appointed to oversee the institution. However, TISL warned that repeated reliance on temporary extensions risks eroding institutional independence and undermining the credibility of audit processes.
The organization also highlighted the crucial role of the Auditor General in finalizing the annual accounts of public institutions and submitting audit reports at the close of the financial year. Delays or weaknesses in this process, it said, can have long-term consequences for transparency, governance, and fiscal discipline.
Transparency International Sri Lanka urged authorities to act without further delay to appoint a permanent Auditor General, emphasizing that restoring confidence in public financial management is essential for democratic accountability and national recovery.
