Appointment of secretaries to ministries and their functions

Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe has been removed from his post with immediate effect, the reason being that he made some controversial comments regarding organic fertilisers. This is also said to be the fourth such removal of an official from the Ministry, and points to interference from Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

In the past, the appointments of secretaries to ministries were made by the President, based on seniority in service from members of SLAS, and there were some outsiders as well. The origin of the current mess can be traced to the appointment by President J. R. Jayewardene of Ananda Tissa De Alwis as Secretary to the Ministry of State.

Secretaries to ministries are appointed by the President mainly to advise the ministers, who are not knowledgeable and to carry out the policies of the government. In the event of a disagreement between a minister and a Secretary, the Secretary is duty bound to bring the matter to the notice of the President.

I would like to mention a case where the Secretary to the Ministry for Power and Energy, James H Lanerolle disagreed with the Minister D. B. Wijethunga. There were two opinions expressed by CEB engineers on power cuts. One group was for imposing immediate power cuts and the other was for continuing to supply electricity uninterruptedly, expecting rains. Those advocating power cuts pointed out that turbines would be damaged by deadwood and other such things if they were operated while the water levels were low. The minister was in favour of continuing to generate power. The secretary was in agreement with the proposal for power cuts.

With the minister’s permission, the matter was brought to the attention of the President. I was present at the meeting with engineers, and the President, turning to the Secretary, said: “James, go ahead with power cuts!” If such a confrontation took place today, the Secretary would be removed in next to no time.

G. A. D. Sirimal

BORALESGAMUWA