Entire director board of BOI resigns

2 December 2021 10:47 pm - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The entire director board of Sri Lanka’s apex investment promotions agency, Board of Investment, and its Director General are reported to have stepped down from their positions with immediate effect, Mirror Business learns.

The BOI board was headed by Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala and the other members of the board were, Dr.Sanjaya Kulatunga, Dr.Harsh Subasinghe and Jayamin Pelpola.

Following the board’s resignation, Director General Pasan Wanigasekara is also reported to have tendered his resignation.

A vague statement issued by the BOI confirmed the resignation of “prominent members” of its board, but fell short of giving out the names.

According to highly placed sources, the immediate reason for the multiple resignation was a decision taken at the highest levels of the government to revoke a Cabinet paper, which facilitated the appointment of 29 new officers to the BOI at higher salaries.

The BOI board had backed these appointments on the basis that new talent was required at selected positions to attract and create new investment portfolios.
However, the BOI trade unions were against the move.

“Unfortunately, the efforts of the leadership to achieve this urgently required transformation, was strongly and continuously resisted by isolated factions both within and outside the organization, who have put their self-interest over the public,” the statement issued by the BOI yesterday said.

The matter also came up during a recent meeting of the Committee on Public Enterprises, where the COPE Chairman had inquired about seven officials recruited bypassing general procedures at higher salaries and had advised that such actions would lead to internal conflicts within the organization.

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Comments - 25

Noddy Thursday, 02 December 2021 11:00 PM

Good. Now Nandasena can appoint people of the caliber of Pisuarrachi etc as the new BOI directors.

Kikazaru Thursday, 02 December 2021 11:00 PM

We had gas exploding and now the cylinder has exploded.

sg Thursday, 02 December 2021 11:53 PM

Very good, the government must regularize this board and their activities.

varuna Friday, 03 December 2021 08:26 AM

Please complete the sentence: "... by appointing political henchman who would dance according to the tune of politicians."

Vettri Maran Friday, 03 December 2021 01:20 AM

Even at this stage the government is hell bent on continuing with its shady deals. Not worried about easing the people's sufferings due ill managed, politically appointed individuals, who were not fit for the positions they held. Over to you Sinhala masses who elected these leaders based on racism.

Trevor Jayetileke Friday, 03 December 2021 01:34 AM

The BOI has failed to deliver as a "One Stop Shop" for FDI in Sri Lanka since I attended a seminar on 12/9/2006. it has become a place to play "Musical Chairs" for Political sycophants who are rent collectors and their circle of friends.

Sam Friday, 03 December 2021 01:44 AM

Everyone in the government has self interest not about country. BOI needs to restructure and have a 72 hour approval of the project's. Not for them to photo copy the project reports and send it around.

Pragmatic Friday, 03 December 2021 02:29 AM

Those who had to interact with the BOI already knew it was an ineffective entity. Their very existences is to enhance Foreign Direct Investments. Why do they need new blood wasting additional funds??

Pantha Kumaran Friday, 03 December 2021 03:52 AM

In our country there is no place for educated people. But we elect MPs with no qualifications to hold top jobs. Also look at the language they all speak in Parliament. Don't they feel bad about their behaviours. Not a single MP cares about the country. They all care about their families.

Sushena de simon Friday, 03 December 2021 04:07 AM

Never in the history in Sri Lanka we have seen antire board resigning . The Apex body took a decision to hire creative talent to infuse new thinking to draw investment and image with a new purpose . I do not think the existing staff could do this . The challenge before us to give adequate time for the new appointees to perform within a new time frame and if they fail then deal with them On the other hand to get the Trade Unions to bring in investment

KAL CADER Friday, 03 December 2021 04:41 AM

BOI need new blood and creative young talent. This does not mean kick the skilled experience staff. Proper negotiation and appointment strategy is required!

I O Sirisena Friday, 03 December 2021 05:01 AM

"Young talent" at higher salaries? Sounds fishy. Good on the trade unions at a time when everybody is asked to tighten their belts.

footboard Friday, 03 December 2021 05:18 AM

very nice. hats off to one law one country...now, අපි තමයි හොදටම කලේ...

Lumbini Friday, 03 December 2021 05:37 AM

Day by day, this government is proving to the country that they were unable to perform as expected by voters.

Ram Friday, 03 December 2021 05:47 AM

Which company or government corporation is free of corruption and interference. Nothing will work in Sri Lanka al long as politicians interfere. It will be very difficult to erase this too as the culture that prevail is if you help me I will help you when in office

neil alwis Friday, 03 December 2021 06:24 AM

highly corrupt institution with corrupt individuals who seek big commissions from foreign and expat investors.

Investor Friday, 03 December 2021 07:05 AM

This why Sri Lanka will never progress. BOI is full of of corrupt Executive Directors (ED) and Directors (D) and they will not allow any new investments to come in without they been paid. The BOI should get rid of all the ED

anura nanayakkara Friday, 03 December 2021 07:05 AM

Yes, if they want to resign , let them resign . There is lot of new talent in our country who can do this job honestly. Why should you let the directorate select candidates for these highly paid jobs. There could be favours in selecting candidates they want.

Fact Friday, 03 December 2021 07:08 AM

If you need investments then country needs to have good law and order, no racist policies, good governance, no croptions etc. Which sl never going to have so forget it. Investors are very smart and there better places all over the world, sl would be last option for them. Even rich Lanka won't invest here.

elyas ismail Friday, 03 December 2021 08:48 AM

You are absolutely spot on. I have been saying this for years.

Misunderstood Friday, 03 December 2021 07:43 AM

Finance Minister say government servants are a burden. This will be a clear example to prove their point. All drama to take our country to the hell not to do any good to improve

sam Friday, 03 December 2021 08:22 AM

No govt institution is efficient or of reduced corruption. Political stooges should not be appointed to these boards if the govt wants organisations and country to progress. Applications should be called from the public for such positions and appointments made to all boards.

Arnold Friday, 03 December 2021 09:06 AM

Education, rationality and intelligence are disadvantages in Lanka.

Rasa thiyagalingam Friday, 03 December 2021 10:04 AM

Appoint Duminda Siva as Chairman

N SENA Friday, 03 December 2021 10:05 AM

WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY? WHO IS TO BE BLAMED

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Entire director board of BOI resigns

Comments - 25

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