PM explains delay in appointing new AG

The Government will hold discussions with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka before appointing a new Attorney General for the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in Parliament yesterday.

Responding to questions posed by UPFA MP Dinesh Gunewardane, who also leads the “joint opposition” about the delay in the appointment of a new AG, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the delays were due to his trip to Davos, Switzerland. “Nominations are now under discussion, they were delayed due to the visit to Switzerland,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the new AG had to be proposed by the President and the appointment had to be ratified by the Constitutional Council that was re-established under the 19th Amendment.

Attorney General Yuvanjana Wijetillake retired from service on 10 January 2016. Several Government members have been vocal about the inefficiencies and delays by the attorney general’s department in pursuing high profile corruption cases especially against members of the former regime. However, the Government had made no plans for his replacement despite the criticism. (DB)