NPP questions spate of appointments to PMD

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) party yesterday in Parliament questioned the recent appointments to the President’s Media Division (PMD). Dissanayake reading out a list of names revealed at least 15 directors, 10 deputy directors, eight photographers, four video editors and six media assistants have been appointed in addition to a Presidential Advisor for media and a Director General for the President’s Media Division.

Dissanayake said there was contradiction between the President’s statements on overstaffing at government institutions and his handling of appiontments at the Presidential Secretariat.

“The President has asked state sector employees who do not work to go home. But how many directors does his own media division have? Is he able to come to parliament and reveal this information?” Dissanayake asked.

The NPP leader also revealed information pertaining to the salaries, fuel allowances and vehicles provided to the staff at the PMD. “The advisor is paid a salary of Rs. 100 000, a fuel allowance of Rs 60 000 and given a vehicle” he noted before listing the salaries and benefits of others at the division.