Ranil gets tough on State sector appointments

• Sets up Presidential Committee for granting approval
• Says reasonable justification required when appointing new heads of Govt. institutions

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a Committee to oversee and grant prior approval for new appointments or changes to the existing positions of Chairman and Directors of State corporations, Statutory Boards and State-owned enterprises.  

President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake will chair the Committee including Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake and Cabinet Secretary W.M.D.J. Fernando.

President’s Additional Secretary Chaminda Kularatne will serve as the Secretary of this Committee.

“In the event it is required to change the positions of Chairmen or Board of Directors of State Corporations, Statutory Boards and State-owned enterprises, it is mandatory to submit nominations to the committee with justifiable reasons and obtain prior approval,” a statement from the President’s Media said.

It said this Committee has been appointed, paying heed to the written requests made to the President periodically, to change the positions of Chairmen or Board of Directors of State Corporations, Statutory Boards and State-owned enterprises without prior agreement and certain informal appointments.

Accordingly, a letter has been sent directly to all the Secretaries of Ministries under the signature of the President’s Secretary, and copies have been sent to the Prime Minister’s Secretary and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policy for the implementation of necessary arrangements.