The Auditor General, in an interview with a vernacular newspaper this weekend, has accused the Prime Minister's office of attempting to sabotage the National Audit Act, by altering its key provisions. 

 

He also said he came under pressure from various political elements over his department's report on the controversial Treasury bonds scam. 

 

"What I calculated in relation to the bond issue was the loss incurred in one day. It's long-term loss cannot be calculated," the Auditor General said, explaining his position. 

 

He also added that he did not violate any law when he handed over a report to the COPE, headed by JVP MP Sunil Handunetti. During the special Parliamentary debate on the bond scam, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake alleged that the Auditor General had leaked his report on the bond issue to JVP Parliamentarian Bimal Ratnayake. 

 

"The Finance Minister accused me of leaking out information to a JVP MP. There was no such issue. I handed over a report to the COPE as I am answerable to Parliament. I handed over the same report to the Finance Minister. I have acted in a fully transparent manner. I do not want to maintain secret deals with the Finance Minister and keep the legislature in the dark about important matters," Wijesinghe said.

 

He also added that he was committed to uphold the principles of good governance, upon which the current government has been formed. 

 

"My duty is to work in line with the principles of good governance. If the government is committed to its own policies, there will be no clash between the government and my department," the Auditor General added. 

 

When asked if he had political motives, the state official said he had nothing to do with politics. 

 

"My term ends in two years. After that I will go to my village and do my own work. I am just discharging my official duties," he said.