Auditor General vows to continue work for the country despite salary issues

Colombo (News1st) - Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe speaking to News1st said he will continue to work towards protecting public funds irrelevant of whether he is paid a salary or not. Gamini Wijeyasinghe stated that the salary of the Auditor General has not been approved by Parliament yet. He stated that payments are being made as an approximate amount. Further, the Auditor General stated that he got to know that this was to be debated in parliament yesterday (August 24) and that it was withdrawn. He stated that although his years as the Auditor General are almost at an end he said that he will continue to serve the remainder of his term. The Auditor General noted that the president had earlier approved that his salary should be in line with that of those in the judicial service. Gamini Wijeyasinghe states that under the 19th amendment, the Auditor General's Department has been vested with special powers. However, he noted that due to pressure from various groups the old systems continue to remain in place. The Auditor General also stated that he hopes his salary is approved by Parliment before he retires.