23 January 2022 02:48 am
Shermila Rajapaksa, Director General (DG) of the National Zoological Gardens is to step away from work for 14 days until a proper investigation is carried out into the unbecoming activities by the Dehiwala Zoo trade unionists.
A letter describing the current situation at the Zoo and the situation she has had to face, was sent to the President's Secretariat and Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry Secretary last Thursday (20).
While describing the situation she had to face at the department, she told the Daily Mirror that the Zoo management over an illegal organic fertiliser project which was done by a union attached to the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala, claiming to be the "SLPP union".
During the investigation, it was found that there was no written approval given to initiate such a project and to continue it within the Dehiwala Zoo premises.
However, the people who were involved in manipulating the project, recently staged a protest, claiming that they did not get the risk allowance of Rs. 5,000 which was a camouflage act to hide the truth of their illegal business and to prevent action being taken against them.
"After the audit report, the trade union activists' disciplinary pattern has deteriorated. Last Wednesday (19), they changed the padlocks on the reptile and bird cages. The wires to the water motor was switched to ignite.***?? Therefore, the workers who were on duty faced many difficulties. They even threatened the employees who did not support their trade union action. The union kept submitting false statistics on animal deaths at Dehiwala Zoo. They used to spread false allegations and defamatory statements about the institution, me, and veterinarians through the media and social media," Rajapaksa mentioned in her letter.
She further said that, on the basis of the above, she will not allow the life of any animal or employee to be harmed and she will not be intentionally blamed for the administration.
Therefore, she has decided to leave the service until a formal investigation is carried out into these sabotage activities and frauds and the current dangerous situation is resolved.
In her letter, she had made a kind request to conduct an inquiry within 14 days and to create a suitable environment to perform her duties again, or else she would be forced to resign from the post. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)