The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I informed the President in writing about this. The Committee on Public Finance is the body that approves the budget and work programme of the National Audit Office and sends it, through the Speaker, for approval of this House. The same applies to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. No other agency is like that; others come through the Minister of Finance.

¶ 02 As Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, with the agreement of all our Members, I wrote to the President. I will table that letter now.

¶ 03 The President told me over the phone that he had submitted four names. After a lengthy discussion he asked whether I could also inform the Constitutional Council. But we cannot instruct the Council, nor is it necessary. However, the President and the Constitutional Council must work together in conformity with the Constitution. The country needs an Auditor-General. You, Mr. Speaker, rejected the circulation of my letter to Members; I do not know on what grounds you did so. The Constitution must be safeguarded. The President must submit a suitably qualified candidate’s name to the Council, and the Council must recommend a person for appointment as Auditor-General on merit.

¶ 04 I will also table the letter that you declined to circulate. With respect, I do not believe you have the authority to reject circulation of a letter to the Constitutional Council on such an important matter; I do not know under what law or rule you did so.