News
State sector workers become victims of political game of ‘musical chairs’
Many state institutions are in turmoil since the Wickremesinhe-led government was of a sudden, dismissed by President Sirisena who then installed a Rajapaksa-led regime. The sudden change in government led to a string of transfers and dismissals of workers in many government institutions.
Some of the ministries and government institutions facing a crisis as a result of these politically motivated changes are: The Ministry of Plantation Industries, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) and the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.
On November 30, around 2,400 trainee staff belonging to the NHDA were dismissed by senior officials of the Ministry.
The sudden dismissals saw NHDA workers stage large-scale protests on December 3. Demonstrators blocked roads and virtually brought the city to a standstill
Secretary of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya of the NHDA, Vajira Wasantha who led the demonstration told the Sunday Times that 2,400 individuals were recruited as trainees and they were working for a daily wage of Rs.500/-.
He said apart from the 2,400 individuals of the NHDA in Colombo, workers from Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Puttalam appointed by the Deputy Minister -a supporter of President Sirisena were not affected.
Mr. Wasantha said that even Board members were changed immediately after the new Minister was appointed.
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation -Reyyaz Salley- said immediately after the appointment of new Ministers the Board of Directors of the Corporation were reshuffled.
“The members of the Board of Directors to the Ministry of Plantations and the Ministry of Trade, Consumer Affairs Authority and Christians Affairs too were replaced,” he said.
Mr. Salley charged, that the outgoing Chairmen received salary payments on November 25th and the newly appointed Chairmen were given letters back-dated to November 9th.
“Thus, according to the back-dated letters, two Chairmen operated at the same time. This is illegal,” he said.
Secretary of the Ministry of Plantations told the Sunday Times that the day the new Cabinet was sworn in, the Directors of the Board were immediately changed.
An official of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) who wished to remain anonymous told the Sunday Times that with the appointment of the new Chairman of the CAA, Mr. Anura Maddegoda who was appointed as Chairman six months earlier was dismissed immediately the change of Ministers took place.
Former Deputy Minister Of Transport and Civil Aviation Ashok Abeysinghe said that senior officials were ordered under threat to issue fresh letters of appointments.
He added that all Regional Managers of depots and Depot Managers were dismissed and fresh appointments made.
However, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Ramal Siriwardana told the Sunday Times that no such appointments or transfers had taken place.
“None of the Depot Managers or Regional Managers were dismissed from their jobs. It’s false information,” he said.
Sunil Silva of the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya of the SLTB, however contradicted this statement saying all 106 Depot Managers and around 12 Regional Managers were dismissed.