16 July 2019 12:10 am
In another likely course of collision between President Maithripala Sirisena and the government, President Sirisena has banned with immediate effect the posts of joint chairmen and vice chairmen appointed to district and divisional coordinating committees by the General Secretary of the UNP.
The procedure to appoint chairmen and vice chairmen to district coordinating committees was by subject minister or Home and Internal Affairs, Local Government and provincial Councils, Vajira Abeywardana.
In a letter sent to Home and Internal Affairs, Local Government and provincial Councils,Gamini Seneviratne, Secretary to President Udaya R Seneviratne says that the posts of chairmen and vice chairmen are appointed based on the conditions laid down in the circular issued on 1996.10,24 by the Ministry on the matter.
“Accordingly, President Sirisena has appointed chairmen and vice chairmen for district and divisional coordinating committees since 2015. In addition, chairmen and vice chairmen are also appointed on the recommendation of the UNP General Secretary. However, it is learnt that, the subject minister has also appointed chairmen and vice chairmen to district and divisional coordinating committees and this has led to many a problem,” Secretary to President. Seneviratne has stated in his letter.
These political appointments have created confusion among District Secretaries and people representatives and they have complained about it. Hence, President Sirisena has taken steps to ban all these appointments from UNP General Secretary to District Coordinating Committees and inform the same to all District Secretaries accordingly, Mr. Seneviratne said.
“Accordingly, President Sirisena has appointed chairmen and vice chairmen for district and divisional coordinating committees since 2015