The Constitutional Council on Friday (21) rejected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recommendation to extend Acting Auditor General H.D. Dharmapala’s tenure by three months.
The Auditor General’s post has been vacant since 8 April, but the President has yet to nominate a permanent replacement. Reports suggest the President intended to appoint H.T.P. Chandanawa—a close associate and member of the Board of Directors of the Petroleum Corporation—to the position. Chandanawa is not from the Audit Service, and his nomination sparked strong objections from civil society members of the Council, who argued that appointing an outsider would undermine the independence of the office. The three civil society representatives—Dinesha Samararatne, Prathap Ramanujan and Anula Wijesundara—formally rejected the name.
Chandanawa’s career has largely been in state enterprises, including his current role at the Petroleum Corporation. Critics say he lacks audit experience and accuse the President of attempting a political appointment. Audit trade unions also opposed the move, urging that the post be filled from within the Auditor General’s Department unless no qualified candidate is available. The controversy has fuelled concerns about politicisation of a role central to financial accountability and transparency.
At Friday’s meeting chaired by Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, the proposal to extend Dharmapala’s term was defeated by five votes to four. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, MP Ajith Perera and the three civil society representatives voted against it.
An additional note attached to the President’s recommendation revealed Dharmapala had accepted six tickets from a state bank to attend the Kandy Dalada Perahera. Opponents argued this compromised the independence of the audit service, as the bank is audited by the National Audit Office.
The rejection leaves Sri Lanka without an Auditor General—a serious lapse for a government elected on promises of transparency and anti-corruption. The President must now submit a new nominee. Dharmapala still has three and a half years until retirement.
The civil society members’ term ends in January 2026, fuelling speculation the President may delay the appointment until then. The Auditor General’s role is crucial for parliamentary oversight of public finances, and appointments have often been contentious. Critics accuse successive governments of politicising the post, while prolonged vacancies or acting appointments have delayed reporting on public accounts.
©SLB