Namal Rajapaksa assumes head-hunter role

• Proposes two names for CEO post of Geological Survey and Mines Bureau subsidiary
• One of the proposed gets appointed on 11 Aug.
• President sets up Committee to require prior approval for appointments in State sector

By Maneshka Borham

In an apparent head-hunter role, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Namal Rajapaksa has written to Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed, recommending at least two persons for the post of CEO of GSMB Technical Services Ltd., a subsidiary company of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau. 

GSMB Technical Services Ltd. is registered as a fully Government-owned Ltd. company which undertakes projects facilitating engineering geology and assessment of mineral resources. 

In a document now circulating widely, on 6 August Rajapaksa had written to the Minister on a Parliament of Sri Lanka letterhead proposing the name of M.H.D.P. Karunaratne of Tangalle for the post claiming he had the requisite qualifications for the position. The other person proposed is revealed to be G.G.M. Ishara Hemantha, a Pradeshiya Sabha member and a former Private Secretary of MP D.V. Chanaka.

Following Rajapaksa’s letter to Minister Ahamed, M.H.D.P. Karunaratne has been appointed as the CEO of GSMB Technical Services Ltd. with effect from 11 August according to sources. 

Amidst these moves, President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday appointed a Committee that will have to be consulted for prior approval when appointing or changing Chairmen, Director for Public Corporations, and Statutory Boards. It has been suggested the President has made this decision following the recent revelations relating to GSMB Technical Services Ltd. 

This Committee will be headed by Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake and will include Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, and Secretary to the Cabinet W.M.D.J. Fernando. Additional Secretary to the President Daminda Kularatne will serve as the Secretary to the Committee.