Four-member selection board to screen appointments to SOEs

The government has appointed a four-member selection board to screen the persons nominated by ministers to head state enterprises operating under them.

The board consists of former presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunga, former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, former John Keells Holdings Chairman Susantha Ratnayake and Hela Clothing chief Dian Gomes.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointing his new 15-member Cabinet last week requested the ministers to forward the names of those they think would be suitable to run the state-owned enterprises and statutory bodies under their respective ministries.

He said it was his intention to make the state enterprises no more a burden to the taxpayers of Sri Lanka.

The large majority of state enterprises are making massive losses largely due to mismanagement.

“We want experienced and qualified people to head these organisations. We want them turned around so that they can become contributors to the economy, not loss-making burdens to the Treasury,” Rajapaksa said.