Auditor General seeks autonomy
 

by Anura Maitipe

The cabinet has taken policy decision to amend the Constitution granting more autonomy to the Auditor General's Department, Official sources told the Sunday Observer.

With this amendment to the constitution a special constitutional council will be set up in Parliament to safeguard the autonomy of the office of Auditor General.

The Constitutional Council will be empowered with full authority to take prompt action on observations made by Auditor General regarding misuse of public funds in state institutions, sources added.

The Auditor General's Department will also be provided with more human resources and funds to release it's report in time to take speedy action against state officials involved in the misuse of public funds, sources said.

In the delaying release of the Auditor General's report in the past has given cover to corrupt officials to evade legal action in the past. The annual report had even been published after a long delay of ten years. By that time the officials involved in the misuse of public funds had retired from services with all perks and benefits, sources pointed out.