Govt. under fire in P’ment over removal of Lanka Mineral Sands Chairman

The Government came under fire for the removal of Asoka Peiris from the office of Chairman at Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd. 

Opposition lawmaker Anura Dissanayake from the JVP accused the Government of ignoring election pledges to maintain transparency and eliminate corruption where an honest employee was removed from office for not agreeing to continue corruption.

“Asoka Peiris was an honest officer who carried out his duties. Previously, he headed the delimitation appeal committee. While Peiris left the parliament complex after giving evidence before the COPE committee on 7 February, he was sacked and another person was appointed as the Chairman,” said Dissanayake.

According to Dissanayake, Peiris was instrumental in converting Lanka Mineral Sands into a profit-making venture. “Turnover, which was Rs. 385 million in 2015, was increased to Rs. 1, 250 million in 2016. When he took over the bank balance was Rs. 61 million. It was increased to Rs. 385 million by the time he was sacked. When he started the monthly cost of the institution was Rs. 100 million. He brought it down to Rs. 65 million. He increased welfare measures for the employees where the annual bonus was increased from Rs. 17, 000 to Rs. 43, 000. The medical expense allowance for employees was increased from Rs. 10, 000 to Rs. 20, 000. He stood against the Government’s plan to sell off Lanka Mineral Sands to the private sector by fixing the label that it was a loss-making enterprise,” he said.

“Maithree Gunaratne is the replacement of Asoka Peiris. Do let us know if there is truth to the allegation that Gunaratne was sacked before for corruption. We were also told that he conducted an inspection tour soon after the appointment. He is claimed to have used a helicopter to reach Pullmudai. We would like to know the truth in it and the cost for such a helicopter tour,” he added.

Industries and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathuideen responding to Dissanayake confirmed that Peiris was an honest public official and he had done nothing wrong during his tenure as the Chairman of Lanka Mineral Sands. 

“We also confirm that Peiris was able to turn around the institution and make it profitable. It was the Secretary to the President who appointed Peiris to that post and he was replaced by Maithree Gunaratne by the same office. My ministry was informed of the new appointment. I would inquire whether the charges and allegations against Gunaratne are true. I will also look into the helicopter visit,” promised the Minister. (AH)