Zoological Gardens DG locks horns with Minister, Ministry Secy

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

National Zoological Gardens Director General Sharmila Rajapaksa alleges that officials and politicians with vested interests continue to harass her and sabotage the work in the department with the intention of ousting her.

“There is a terror campaign in the department unleashed by this gang of officials with the blessings of politicians. Their grouse against me is my battle against corruption. It is so sad to say that I was appointed by the President of the country but I am forced to suffer the ill-treatment and sabotage by the SLPP union itself. It is the SLPP union that continues to sabotage work in the zoological gardens,” she said.

The DG said that when she visited Ridiyagama Safari Park, the saboteurs attacked a veterinarian. “In a more recent incident during an official function attended by the Secretary to the Ministry and other senior officials, the Minister said that I was getting media publicity because of my complexion. It is a regrettable statement and I am ashamed all women who had voted for that Minister,” she said.

“Today, the zoo does not function properly because the SLPP union members sabotage its operations. All this opposition is aimed at forcing me to resign because I put an end to many corrupt deals within the department. Some of these saboteurs are encouraged by the arbitrary actions of the Ministry Secretary. I do not allow anyone to misappropriate public property. That is why some officials are against me,” Rajapaksa said.