Committee to probe complaints against Secretaries

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed a three-member committee comprising eminent and senior officers who currently serve and have served in the public service to inquire into representations and complaints to the President, by and with regard to Ministry Secretaries, the President's Office said yesterday.

The committee comprises the Cabinet Secretary D. Wijesinghe (Chairman), K.H.J. Wijedasa, a former Secretary to the President and M.D.D. Peiris, a former Secretary to the Prime Minister.

The appointment of this committee follows a recent meeting the President had with Secretaries to Ministries, where they explained the difficulties faced by them in carrying out their duties in the context of the need to establish the truth or accuracy of allegations made against them; the need for full inquiry into such allegations and complaints, as well as, the conduct of open and fair inquiry with regard to such allegations and complaints in order to assist the President to arrive at reasonable and fair decisions on such matters.