Audit Commission inactive as Act is not adopted

The Audit Service Commission has been inactive for the past two and a half years due to the delay in adopting the National Audit Act says Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe. Speaking at a press conference held at Government Information Department yesterday (18th) the Auditor General said Despite the Auditor General’s Department was made an independent commission under the 19th amendment after the ‘yahapalana’ government came to power, the draft of the National Audit Act that gives it power has not been adopted.
The Commission has been inactive as the Act that gives it authority has not been adopted. The Commission will be entrusted with making appointments, promotions, transfers and initiating disciplinary action within the sector. When the act is adopted the Auditor General shall have the discretion to inquire into any matter relating to an audited entity brought to his notice by any member of the public in writing along with substantial proof of the matters asserted, and report thereon to parliament.
However, the Act that could be adopted in parliament with a simple majority has not been adopted due to various reasons. Mr. Wijesinghe said the Department should have 15 deputy commissioners but there is only one deputy commissioner at present. He said the Act is not adopted as ministry secretaries and heads of state institutions are scared of one clause in the Act.