Heroin container: Ministry Secretary resigns

11 December 2013 01:11 pm - 48 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Coordinating Secretary to the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, who had allegedly intervened to release a heroin container from the Customs, had tendered his resignation to Prime Minister and the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs D.M. Jayaratne from December 9

However, in his letter Mr. Weerasinghe had stated that he had no connection whatsoever with the incident involving the importation of heroin or the releasing of a container with heroin from the Customs.

“…I wish to inform you clearly, that I have no connection whatsoever with the alleged incident levelled against me by the media during the past few weeks. I, as a Government servant, have discharged my duties for the benefit and welfare of the State,” Mr. Weerasinghe said in his resignation letter to Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratnae, who is also the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement to the media dated December 11, Mr. Weerasinghe has admitted that he had sent a letter to the South Asia Gateway Terminals (Private) Limited, Colombo, asking a relief for a container that had been subjected to payment of late demurrage.

“Tharanga Wittachchi, a member of the Gampola Urban Council, informed me about a container at the Colombo Port containing sanitaryware and lubricating oil, reportedly imported by a group of businessmen. He (Wittachchi) said that those businessmen were paying late demurrage for two and a half months for the container and said that a further delay in release will result in the payment of a larger amount as demurrage than the value of the imported goods. Therefore I sent a letter upon his request asking for a relief. But the Prime Minister was not informed about the letter,” he said.

In the statement, Mr. Weerasinghe has further noted that he was fulfilling his duties and responsibilities as a true state worker and a citizen by resigning until the investigations into the incident were concluded.

The resignation letter

GA59 Industrial Area,
Ampara.
9th December 2013.

Hon. D.M Jayaratne,
Prime Minister and Minister of
Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs.

Hon. Sir,

Resignation from the Post of Coordinating Secretary to the Hon. Minister of Buddha Sasana & Religious Affairs

Please accept my resignation from the Post of Coordinating Secretary to the Hon. Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs with effect from 9th December 2013.

Furthermore, I wish to inform you clearly, that I have no connection whatsoever with the alleged incident levelled against me by the media during the past few weeks. I, as a Government servant, have discharged my duties for the benefit and welfare of the State.

I wish to state that I served in the above position with honour and respect and to the best of my know1edg and ability.

I thank you for your advice and assistance extended to me during the tenure of my service.

Thanking You,
Yours faithfully,

Keerthi Sri Weerasinghe.

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Comments - 48

singing fish Thursday, 12 December 2013 06:23 AM

Yes, Pakistanis are the culprits who ruin this country.

MrRetort Thursday, 12 December 2013 12:04 AM

Send him to Pakistan as the Ambassador, so that he can coordinate drug imports from there thro VIP CHANNEL.

Lanka Shantha Thursday, 12 December 2013 12:36 AM

As an example to the other Sri Lankans, this man should be tried and if found guilty should be given with the capital punishment.

Jawjay Thursday, 12 December 2013 01:15 AM

A porn has been sacrificed to cover up for his bosses, .Not to worry he will be compensated with bonus in the near future .

azath Thursday, 12 December 2013 01:16 AM

They may be the BIG FISH

Sonali De Silva Thursday, 12 December 2013 01:17 AM

The million dollar question which still has not been answered is WHO GOT THE DRUGS IN ? Both parties should get the maximum penalty. Or is this resignation a red herring?

dulan Thursday, 12 December 2013 02:11 AM

He is just the fall guy

Suq Madique Thursday, 12 December 2013 05:21 AM

He has conveniently been made the scapegoat and gets off scott-free. Will probably be rewarded with another position elsewhere later on.

Roshan Thursday, 12 December 2013 05:35 AM

Even in ordinary Imports, he has no authority to interfere with the customs and ask them to waive off the duty.

Nihar Thursday, 12 December 2013 05:44 AM

Minions take the fall. funniest thing, the guy is not even responsible for this whole scenario.

Andrew Pitugala Thursday, 12 December 2013 05:46 AM

Chapter closed. Real culprits escape.

Randeniya Banda Thursday, 12 December 2013 06:10 AM

Responsibility of this sordid affair should not be left in the hands of this man. It has opened a can worms.

Thila Wednesday, 11 December 2013 06:58 PM

Thank you JHU for bringing this issue up....

Jayawardene Thursday, 12 December 2013 06:34 AM

The Prime Minister should be the one to resign!!!

Kay Jay Thursday, 12 December 2013 06:55 AM

This is just an eye wash. If not he should be asked to come clean openly. Don't be surprised if he is given a diplomatic posting for being a good boy

tony Thursday, 12 December 2013 07:22 AM

IS THERE NO CASE FOR HIM?

Ravi Thursday, 12 December 2013 07:52 AM

Don't worry now you will be getting a ambassador post in some where for the services you have rendered to the PM.

chandana Thursday, 12 December 2013 08:01 AM

will this be the final incident in sri Lanka? Never

CITIZEN Thursday, 12 December 2013 08:07 AM

Surely, as the Co-ordinating Secretary to the PM he should have informed the PM of such an important issue of writing to the Customs, unless the PM is already aware of it. We know he will be simply let off lest all the important links will be out!!!

asoka Thursday, 12 December 2013 08:34 AM

yes...use the lubricant now...you know where to apply it...

Perumal Thursday, 12 December 2013 09:01 AM

He resigned and the matter is closed?

Rubert Vanderkoon Thursday, 12 December 2013 09:53 AM

That's the question. He is not a civil service man but one of the PM's private appointments. Why was he made a scapegoat? Why not arrest the big man?

solico Thursday, 12 December 2013 01:20 PM

now police must take action immediately.

Sarjoon Friday, 13 December 2013 05:45 AM

Trying to cover the things up. Don't let him to act like an ostrich.

Grace Wednesday, 11 December 2013 03:23 PM

His resignation is not going to whitewash the bad name caused to the ministry.

Cobra Wednesday, 11 December 2013 01:36 PM

Are they allowing him to get off that easily? Just imagine if that consignment hit the streets!!!

Sinhaya Wednesday, 11 December 2013 01:37 PM

Cover up????

Ramani Wednesday, 11 December 2013 01:56 PM

Resignation not sufficient. Law enforcement officers should take legal action against this anti-social element!

KaluSudhaSudha Wednesday, 11 December 2013 02:06 PM

Scapegoat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No responsibilities???? What a laugh

Asanka Thennakoon Wednesday, 11 December 2013 02:14 PM

Who asked him to issue the letter requesting the customs?

Hiran Shanaka Wednesday, 11 December 2013 02:29 PM

There's a typo "know1edge" for the word "knowledge".

Damsen Wednesday, 11 December 2013 02:33 PM

How can he say that he had no connection in this matter as he had involved in issuing the letter in question.He has to explain it

A K A S DE SILVA Wednesday, 11 December 2013 02:34 PM

Then whom should be blamed? Yet another example of a failed state.

Rajini Kulatunga Wednesday, 11 December 2013 03:00 PM

"I, as a Government servant, have discharged my duties for the benefit and welfare of the State". Ohhh please don't let him resign. He has issued the letter to release the heroin container for the welfair of the state. Such good officers must stay in office. Please don't go

Mason Wednesday, 11 December 2013 03:03 PM

With the "resignation" of the secretary, will the whole matter be hushed up. The million dollar question is WHO wanted this letter to be issued. As is always the BIG FISH gets away.

Be Fair Wednesday, 11 December 2013 03:05 PM

I'm sure that cant be heroin.....
BTW, a clear message for the PM to call it a day from holding office

suneth Wednesday, 11 December 2013 01:18 PM

Just resign.....that's it. Why not arrest him and investigate

meranchi Wednesday, 11 December 2013 03:27 PM

where is his next appointment. after he resigned prime minister wash his hand, my hand is clean no sin.....i

sss Wednesday, 11 December 2013 03:38 PM

and submissive and inactive public

Dicttator Wednesday, 11 December 2013 03:56 PM

Next Ambassodor to an African country do not worry.

bigfoot Wednesday, 11 December 2013 03:57 PM

He is a mere scape goat & not the big fish. There is a foul play.

G.M. Jayawardenayawa Wednesday, 11 December 2013 04:02 PM

He is aware about the clearance of the container and its very strange that he is not aware about the contents of it. Now he is pointing at the media for the revelation. Some one has to be charged for this crime, but Who?

Exhorcist Wednesday, 11 December 2013 04:05 PM

Only the goat goes home without the scapegoat with an agreement??

jim pappa Wednesday, 11 December 2013 04:07 PM

If he did put his signature on that letter and yet denies responsibility, then somebody higher up would have instructed or forced him to do so, in which case both are equally responsible. If somebody forged his signature, that is a criminal offence. Seems a powerful hand is behind all this. Won't be surprised if the heroin haul turns to wheat flour.

raspi Wednesday, 11 December 2013 04:20 PM

So if you resign then everything is forgotten? Dude they give the death penalty to people who even keep milligrams of heroine. there should be some sort of punishment for this.
what a country we live in. you can do anything and get away as long as you know the right people.

Saman Gunasekara Wednesday, 11 December 2013 04:26 PM

This matter is fishy and definitely needs further probing. If his claim of innocence is true, who did it? Or, who forced to do it? If it is not true, he should not be let go just like that. He should be punished for the offence. I have a hunch that somebody is making him the scapegoat. Who is that is the million rupee (Or thousand million rupee) question !!!

viv Wednesday, 11 December 2013 04:42 PM

Where is BBS, Ravan Balaya...!!!!!!!

Madu.. Wednesday, 11 December 2013 04:50 PM

If your not... Then who asked you to intervene ? simple as it is.

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Heroin container: Ministry Secretary resigns

Comments - 48

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