TNA, Govt at loggerheads over Batti' Dist. Sec. appointment

A dispute has arisen between the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Govt over the nominees for the post of Batticaloa District Secretary (DS) which fell vacant, following former DS P.S.M. Charles appointment as Director General of Sri Lanka Customs.

The TNA nominated three Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) Class I Officers from three prominent Govt Ministries to be appointed as the new DS. However, the Govt is trying to promote another SLAS Officer from the Eastern Provincial Council, whose term has now lapsed.

Batticaloa District TNA MP G. Srineshan and Digamadulla District MP A. Kodeeswaran recommended the three TNA nominees to the Home Affairs Ministry Secretary Neil de Alwis. Interviews were held last week to select a new DS for the District. Two additional SLAS Officers including the Govt’s nomi- nee were interviewed. However, none of them were selected.

The position has been vacant since Sept.29, while Mrs Charles assumed duties as the new DG of Customs on Oct.2.

Currently, the Govt has appointed Trincomalee DS N.A.A. Pushpakumara as acting DS for Batticaloa.

Meanwhile, several attempts by the Sunday Times to contact Home Affairs Ministry Secretary Neil de Alwis proved unsuccessful.