Cooray wielded no influence on appointments

BY SANDASEN Marasinghe

APPOINTMENTS in question were made in line with the circular and Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray wielded no influence in the recruitment, said Western Provincial Council Finance, Planning and Implementation Ministry Secretary H. Sumanapala, yesterday.

He made this observation giving evidence before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on Matters on the No Confidence Motion against Cooray.

The Presidential Commission comprised Court of Appeal Justice Dr. Chandradasa Nanayakkara (President) and A. S. Gunawardana (Commissioner), Chairman of Finance Commission.

Examined by Senior State Counsel Menaka Wijesundara, Sumanapala said he was appointed as the Secretary to the Western Province Chief Minister on March 11, 2005.

He said the garbage disposal project has not been handed over to any other institution but discussions are being conducted and is yet to come to a conclusion. Cooray did not influence the delay, he said.

Sumanapala said with regard to Sriyani Kottegoda's appointment as an instructor to the Cultural Affairs (dancing) of the Western Province she had been appointed on the same capacity for three consecutive terms.

She had been in the same category even when she was appointed by Cooray. She was also a qualified teacher in the Education Ministry. Her appointment is only on a contract basis.

Sumanapala said Kulathunga's appointment as a project Director, Jayaneththi and Jayaweera as project officers and former Additional Provincial Education Directors A. J. W. Sirisena and H. A. P. Bandara as instructors were also in accordance with the circular and Cooray had in no way influenced the appointments.

Western Province Provincial Council Road, Co-operatives, Trade, Food, Water and Electricity Minister Duleep Wijeskara also gave evidence.

The inquiry was put off for August 03.