Government sources said yesterday that the long-running controversy surrounding the appointment of a new Auditor General, which has triggered a serious administrative crisis, is expected to be resolved tomorrow (03). The assurance was confirmed by Transport and Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Ratnayake while speaking in Kandy the day before yesterday (31), raising expectations of an end to a stalemate that has lasted for months.
The Constitutional Council met at the Parliament premises the day before yesterday to deliberate on the appointment, but discussions once again failed to produce consensus on a suitable candidate. This marks yet another unsuccessful attempt to fill one of the most critical oversight positions in the country’s public finance system.
The deadlock has persisted despite repeated interventions by the President, who has proposed four different names to the Constitutional Council on four separate occasions. All four nominations were rejected. The Council is scheduled to meet tomorrow to consider a fifth nomination submitted by the President, a move that government sources say could finally bring the issue to a close.
The vacancy arose in April 2025 following the retirement of Mr. Chulantha Wickramaratne, the 41st Auditor General. Since then, the post has remained unfilled for more than ten months, raising concerns about accountability, audit oversight, and the smooth functioning of state institutions during a period of economic recovery.
According to sources, the latest nomination also involves an officer from the Auditor General’s Department. However, the same officer’s name had been previously rejected due to various allegations, fueling further controversy and debate within the Constitutional Council.
Meanwhile, strong public and institutional support has emerged for Mr. Dharmapala Gammanpila, the most senior officer in the Auditor General’s Department. With 31 years of experience as a Senior Audit Officer, he has been recommended for the position of 42nd Auditor General by the Maha Sangha, including the Trinitarian Maha Nayakas, as well as civil society organizations and other groups. Sources note that the three representatives of civil society on the Constitutional Council are expected to play a decisive and unique role in determining the final outcome.
Addressing a separate issue during his remarks in Kandy, Minister Bimal Ratnayake stated that legal action is being pursued against members of the Rajapaksa family, families of former ministers, and the President’s Secretary, among others facing allegations. He emphasized that these cases are not newly initiated but long-pending matters, adding that the current government is allowing the legal process to proceed without interference or special hearings.
