Treasury Secretary PBJ under pressure to quit
View(s):Speculation is rife in the portals of the Ministry of Finance and Planning and the Ministry of Economic Development that its all-powerful chief executive (Secretary) Dr. P.B. Jayasundera is to quit in the next few months.
The reason? Heavy pressure from persons with high political connections over financial disbursements for their projects.
Highly placed sources said disagreement on financial matters relating to mega development projects between Dr. Jayasundera and the hierarchy is brewing up and making it uneasy for the latter to continue in the treasury secretary’s post.
The Treasury Secretary, the most powerful bureaucrat in recent times having survived many different administrations by bowing to various political needs, has been under pressure too from some government ministers and persons with high political connections for funding requests. The Treasury is strapped for cash and a tight squeeze has been enforced on many projects. The sources said that Dr. Jayasundera may seek a foreign appointment, either in the diplomatic service or an international lending agency.
This is not the first time that there has been speculation of the Treasury Secretary quitting. In the past he has either not commented or denied such reports.
Addressing the garments’ manufacturing industry last month, he made several references to his tenure in public service and inferred it might not be long before he leaves (the post). Noting that this is his 40th year in public office, he had said that (his) work would be carried out the way it should “in the next few months and days I am in the public service …”