Former President Maithripala Sirisena has questioned whether the abolition of the Audit Service Commission through the enactment of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution was aimed at allowing corruption and fraud in the country. Addressing the Gampaha District Convention of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, former President Sirisena noted the establishment of independent bodies especially the Audit Service Commission was an important step in the right direction.
The SLFP Chairman stressed it is problematic that the government decided to abolish independent commissions by enacting the 20th Amendment. Former President Sirisena noted during a recent speech, the Auditor General also lamented the move that saw the abolishment of the Audit Service Commission, which has prevented him from investigating and filing charges against persons involved in large-scale fraud and corruption.
The former President said the Auditor General has called for the establishment of independent commissions once again. The SLFP Chairman said the public too is disappointed over the move to do away with independent commissions.
On a separate note, Former President Maithripala Sirisena emphasised that the views expressed by certain groups that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party is weak have no basis. Former President Sirisena said they have 14 Members of Parliament at present.
The SLFP Chairman said they only had eight MPs in 1977 when JR Jayawardena received the sweeping mandate. Former President Sirisena said they increased the number of MPs to 67 in 1989 where he also became a MP and then went on to increase the number to well over 100 and formed a government. The SLFP Chairman, therefore, stressed that no one should discard the power of the party going forward.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the SLFP State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara also participated in the event. The State Minister said the SLFP will never allow the country to become a failed state.
He said the SLFP is not prepared to play politics or further its political interests under the current climate. State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara added the government is in disarray at present.
He said although two SLFP members are holding Cabinet portfolios at present, they are unable to take certain decisions. State Minister Jayasekara claimed that certain decisions taken by higher authorities of the government had left the SLFP in a spot of bother.
He acknowledged issues within the government at present but noted they cannot allow the country to fail. The State Minister said the SLFP, even if it had issues with the government, will not betray the nation.
