The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) welcomes the consensus reached on the appointment of a new Auditor General
As a civil society organisation, we are pleased that the Constitutional Council (CC) has unanimously agreed on the appointment of the Auditor General (AG), bringing to an end the prolonged disagreement over this key position. The eight-month delay in appointing an AG was harmful to the country, both domestically and internationally, and this must be acknowledged.
It is evident that the process posed significant challenges for the CC. We congratulate the three newly appointed members of the Council for overcoming these difficulties and acting in a manner that serves the national interest. We also pay tribute to the three former members of the CC, who carried out their duties with dignity and independence. Notably, they discharged their responsibilities impartially under three successive Governments.
In the future, the responsibility of completing important appointments without undue delay rests with all stakeholders. In this regard, the executive also bears a significant responsibility to nominate suitable and qualified individuals for senior positions to the CC.
There is another important aspect that deserves attention. The 17th Amendment to the Constitution demonstrated how all-party consensus can strengthen democratic traditions and promote good governance. The role played by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna in advancing that amendment through cooperation with the Government at that time stands as an example of what can be achieved through collective political will.
Since then, with a few limited exceptions, CCs have generally approved key appointments through unanimous decisions. This is a positive development for the country. Those who value democracy hope that this spirit of consensus will continue in the future.
