President applies brakes on new State sector appointments

• Issues new circular; Says all appointments must be approved by President 
• In the interim, opt for Additional Secretaries or retired officers

Following controversial appointments to two key State-owned enterprises, President Maithripala Sirisena has issued fresh instructions on selection criteria in a bid to eliminate problematic candidates. Issuing a circular to all Ministry Secretaries, President’s Secretary Udaya Seneviratne informed all Ministry Secretaries that all appointments should be first cleared from his Office, President-appointed spokesperson for the Sirisena-Rajapaksa Cabinet MP Mahinda Samarasinghe told media yesterday. 

The circular comes in the wake of the reported appointment of Dr. Nalaka Godahewa to head Sri Lanka Insurance and the earlier appointment of Kapila Chandrasena to SriLankan Airlines. Following criticism, the latter was removed soon after the appointment.

When asked if Godahewa is subject to the circular, Samarasinghe said he was unaware of the appointment. However, he insisted that all appointments will be subject to the circular. 

Godahewa is currently on bail on a charge of misappropriating State funds. 

The circular instructed Ministry Secretaries to appoint senior administrative officers suitable with similar ranks as Additional Secretaries or retired officers on a temporary basis to any vacant position in State-run enterprises.