The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) of Parliament has approved the salary of the Auditor General following an extensive discussion on the salary and allowances attached to the office.

The decision was taken when the Committee met in Parliament on 04 August, 2026 under the Chairmanship of Member of Parliament Dr. Harsha de Silva, with the participation of Deputy Ministers Chathuranga Abeysinghe and Nishantha Jayawera, and Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Nimal Palihena, Wijesiri Basnayake, M.K.M. Aslam, Thilina Samarakoon and Champika Hettiarachchi.

The proposal relating to the salary of the Auditor General was taken up for consideration in terms of Article 153(2) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Department of Communication of Parliament stated.

During the discussion, the Chair and Committee Members exchanged views on the proposed salary level, taking into account the responsibilities of the Auditor General, the role in overseeing public finance, and the need to safeguard the independence of the national audit function.

The Committee further observed that, in terms of Article 170 of the Constitution, the Auditor General is not a public officer and that, accordingly, special consideration may be given to determining the Auditor General's salary outside the existing public sector salary scale, the statement said.

Officials stated that the proposed salary had been determined after taking into account the salaries of previous Auditors General.

They further noted that, while the salary had previously been determined by the National Salaries and Cadre Commission, no such Commission is currently in operation, the statement added.

While approving the proposed salary, the Committee was of the view that, given the significance of the office and the responsibilities entrusted to the Auditor General, the remuneration should be at a higher level.

Accordingly, the Committee emphasized the need to give further consideration to the salary in the future and take any necessary decisions, the statement added.

The Chair of the Committee also proposed the establishment of a permanent and independent Salaries and Cadre Commission.