Minister does justice, as officer vies for post

The Justice Ministry Secretary’s position was falling vacant with the incumbent official due to retire shortly.

An officer who thought she was the most eligible person for the post started a campaign for it and sent text messages around that she would be succeeding the topmost official.

The same official was earlier responsible for carrying out a cam- paign against another senior official leading to an investigation against her. The officer had been cleared of the allegations and was set to return to her previous job. Justice Minister Thalatha Athukorala who was made aware of the on-going competition has now told the Ministry Secretary to stay on for another six months and an extension has been granted.