Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera who resigned on Wednesday after weeks of speculation about his future following the Supreme Court severely criticising him in the privatisation of Lanka Marine Services Ltd., (LMSL) was expected to be appointed presidential advisor on finance and continue involvement in the budget-making process.
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| Jayasundera |
Abeysinghe |
s“He would be involved in the budget,” one source said.
Dr Jayasundera’s resignation was accepted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa after he completed most of the budget preparations, the source said. The President appointed Treasury Deputy Secretary, Sumith Abeysinghe as Secretary of Finance and the Treasury. Mr. Abeysinghe is due for retirement when he reaches 60 years in November but the source said he is most likely to get an extension in the new position. Mr Abeysinghe is the only Treasury official to move up the ranks and be appointed to this post in the past two decades. Earlier this post was held by Mr B.C. Perera, Mr R.Paskaralingam Mr A.S. Jayawardane, Mr Charitha Ratwatte and Dr Jayasundera – all of who came from outside the Treasury.
The new Secretary holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) Degree in Geography (Sri Lanka), and a Masters Degree in Economics (University of New England, Australia). He previously held senior positions in the Finance and Planning Ministry such as Director-General of National Budget, and Director of Fiscal Policy and Economic Affairs. | 
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