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Crisis
in Treasury
She has asked Dr. Jayasundera to delay his decision and assured him she will "look into the matter." The advice came after a two-hour-long meeting during which he explained the reasons for his decision to quit. Besides differences of opinion with his Minister over policy decisions made by him, Dr. Jayasundera is also said to be unhappy over working with staff installed by the previous UNF government. Asked whether he took his letter of resignation to President Kumaratunga, Dr. Jayasundera told The Sunday Times "there is absolutely no truth in that. The report is baseless." However, other sources said he did tell President Kumaratunga about difficulties he faced working with his Minister and about his decision to quit. Earlier, Presidential Advisor Mano Tittawella had discussed with Dr. Jayasundera in a bid to resolve problems he faced at the Ministry. Mr Tittawella himself, informed sources said, had threatened to withdraw from the Presidential Secretariat. This is said to be after the re-entry of former Presidential Secretary, Kusumsiri Balapatabendi. Mano Tittawella came in as a presidential advisor only after K. Balapatabendi retired from service as the secretary to the President. Sources told the Sunday Times one of the conditions of Mr. Tittawella was to join President's staff which had no place for Mr. Balapatabendi. The administrative structure of the UPFA is also suffering because of these disputes. A three-member team comprising Mr. Tittawella, Dr. Jayasundara and Dr. Tara de Mel had been tasked with preparing the list of potential chairmen and directors of state institutions, but many of the vacancies are yet to be filled. The appointments have not been finalised. A UPFA minister said most of their work was on hold because of the delay in these appointments. Most of the ministers are unhappy over a recent letter sent to all ministry secretaries from the President's House on this subject. The letter dated May 11, has been sent to all ministry secretaries by Presidential additional secretary M.D.H. Ariyawansa . The letter has told the secretaries that lists of nominees to the posts of chairmen and directors must be sent to the Presidential Secretariat. |
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