Public Service Commission's actions under scrutiny

The action taken up by the Government to deal with corrupt school principals has attracted public attention immensely. It is more so since the Public Service Commission intervened to reinstate the two interdicted principals of Ananda College, Colombo, and Kingswood College, Kandy, who were alleged to have resorted to malpractices in respect of year 2005 Grade I admissions, according to inquiries by the Presidential Investigating Unit.

A team of correspondents of Lake House, launched its own fact finding mission on this issue in view of the tremendous public interest that this issue triggered. People are watching every move made by the PSC and the Education Ministry on this issue.

The Public Service Commission is a reputed independent body established to ensure justice and fairplay for public servants while envisaging efficiency in the public service. It is empowered to handle disciplinary procedures relating to certain ranks of the public service. The 17th Amendment to the Constitution expanded its powers.

The recent developments connected with alleged corruption on the part of school principals in respect of school admissions has tarnished the image of the PSC. The developments concerning the PSC and the Education Ministry indicate that the PSC has adopted double standards in respect of issues referred to it in conformity with the provisions of the Establishment Code.

As far as the controversy concerning the two Principals of Ananda College, Colombo and Kingswood College, Kandy, are concerned, sections 5, 5:1, 5:2 , 2, 2:1 and 2:2 of Chapter 48 of the Establishment Code which are relevant are reproduced here for the public to form an opinion on this issue.

The main contention of the PSC that the Presidential Investigating Unit is not the proper body to investigate the complaints of corruption or malpractice relating to school admission cannot be upheld in view of the Commission's previous approval of interdictions based on the reports of the Presidential Investigating Unit.

Furthermore there had been many previous instances of errant officials being convicted after trial based on the reports of the Presidential Investigating Unit, which is headed by a senior public servant and a team of authorized police officers to assist him.

The Public Service Commission has further noted that the facts revealed in the inquiry report do not elicit sufficient facts to warrant an interdiction. Education Ministry Secretary discerns this point as double standards as the interdictions of principals of Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala and Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, based on similar reports by the PIU were approved by the Commission.

It has also been revealed that the grandson of a PSC member has been admitted to one of the schools in question during the tenure of a principal who was later interdicted. Insiders say that he has prevailed upon the other members for his reinstatement. It has also been revealed that the PSC member's son, a lawyer, is a legal advisor to this principal.