Sri Lanka, Jan. 5 -- The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has told its Member of Parliament Sivagnanam Shritharan to step down from the Constitutional Council, following mounting controversy over his support for the appointment of a serving Army officer as Auditor General.

ITAK General Secretary M. A. Sumanthiran told journalists that the decision was taken by the party's politburo, citing serious concerns over Shritharan's voting pattern and his stance on what the party considers the growing militarisation of independent State institutions.

The controversy erupted after former Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Commissioner Ambika Satkunanathan publicly questioned Shritharan's vote in favour of appointing Rajasinghe, an officer at...