Constitutional Council Rejects Nominee for Auditor General Constitutional Council has reportedly rejected the nomination of O.R. Rajasinghe for the post of Auditor General. The name was submitted by President to fill the long-standing vacancy in the Audit Department.
Professionals’ National Front opposed the nomination
The Professionals’ National Front (PNF) has raised serious concerns over what it says is a deliberate attempt to undermine the constitutional independence of the Auditor General’s Department, following confirmation that Colonel O.R. Rajasinghe is being considered for appointment as Auditor General.
In a statement issued yesterday (14), the PNF noted that the post of Auditor General has remained vacant since 8 April, following the retirement of the 41st Auditor General, with only acting appointments in place for more than eight months.
The organisation said this prolonged delay is not accidental but part of a calculated political strategy to bring the institution under executive control.
The PNF revealed that Colonel Rajasinghe, who was appointed last year as Director of Army Internal Audit, has now been nominated to the Constitutional Council for the post of Auditor General. According to the group, this move confirms long-standing concerns that the executive is seeking to install a politically pliable official in one of the country’s most critical oversight institutions.
While acknowledging Colonel Rajasinghe’s military service, the PNF stressed that his professional experience is neither adequate nor suitable for the constitutional and civil responsibilities of the Auditor General. It pointed out that his audit experience is limited to military internal audits within a single institution, which operate under a command-based structure and military disciplinary law.
In contrast, the Auditor General’s role requires extensive experience in public sector auditing, deep knowledge of public financial law, and the ability to function independently of the executive while reporting directly to Parliament, the PNF said.
It warned that appointing a serving or former military officer trained to follow orders poses a direct risk to the independence, transparency, and accountability expected of the office.
The PNF further alleged that the nomination is part of a broader strategy that includes bypassing the most senior and unblemished officials within the Auditor General’s Department, deliberately delaying a permanent appointment, and waiting for the current Constitutional Council’s term to expire on 18 January 2026, to push through a more compliant nominee.
The Govt is set to appoint a serving military officer as Auditor General. I thought this was a joke at first—but it’s real. This is not just a bad decision; it shows utter disrespect for a constitutionally independent office.
Ironically, the JVP—architects of the 17th… pic.twitter.com/F8TNDMdmuE— Charitha Herath, (PhD) (@charith9) December 17, 2025
Commending the Constitutional Council for its stance so far, the Professionals’ National Front called on it to reject the nomination and protect public trust.
The group urged the President to immediately end political manoeuvring and appoint a suitably qualified, senior, and independent professional with proven expertise in public financial management to permanently fill the vacant post of Auditor General.
Army is one of the entities that have been repeatedly flagged by Auditor General for financial waste, mismanagement and potential corruption. How can a serving army officer be trusted lead an institution tasked with placing these shortcomings of army in public domain ? Pls see 👇🏽 https://t.co/NvTCb1stT0
— Ambika Satkunanathan (@ambikasat) December 16, 2025