Wildlife Ministry orders Zoo DG to stay away from duty

The Wildlife Protection Ministry has ordered Shermila Rajapaksa, Director General (DG) of the National Zoological Gardens, not to report for duties until the investigations being carried out into an illegal organic fertiliser project at the Zoological Department are over.

State Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake said the investigation into the illegal organic fertiliser project was advised to be completed within 14 days by a committee appointed by the Public Administration Ministry.

He said the Ministry had sent a letter to the Zoological Department DG not to report to office until the investigations are over.

He said the DG had reported to work before the investigations were over and was involved in activities that could disturb the probe.

The Minister claimed that the President had advised to conduct an immediate investigation before the DG's request for it. He also claimed that the DG had claimed that she would resign from the post if the investigations did not get underway.

However, the probe was not completed within the stipulated 14 days and, therefore, the DG should resign.

Considering all the facts, the Ministry Secetary had issued a letter instructing the DG not to report duties until the investigations were over.

Meanwhile, National Zoological Gardens Director General Shermila Rajapaksa told the Daily Mirror that she did not want to resign from her post until the investigation board was appointed.

However, she claimed that the investigation board was appointed and, therefore, she informed the President's Secretary, Cabinet Minister, and Wildlife Protection Ministry and reported for duty after three weeks.

While describing the situation, she said that she had to face many difficulties at the zoological department over an illegal organic fertiliser project that was done by a union attached to the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala, claiming to be the "SLPP union".

"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 on January 20.

The DG said the police investigation relating to the incident was over and all she had to do was to file a case.

She also claimed that more political influence over the investigation underway to protect the thieves. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)