News
Ministry secretaries: No change in extension policy
View(s):The practice of allowing ministry secretaries to continue over the retirement age of 60, on a recommendation of the President, will remain unchanged, officials said. The Sunday Times learns that Foreign Secretary Chithranganee Wagiswara is among those who have been given an opportunity to continue after reaching the retirement age. She turns 60 next week.
An official explained that only the President could extend the term of service of an officer after the retirement age. “Their services, experience and the non-availability of a replacement are among the criteria taken into consideration,” he added.
Meanwhile, a number of Sri Lanka Administrative Service officers who were appointed as ministry secretaries in January following the presidential election have been overlooked during the fresh round of appointments this week.
Secretaries such as former Defence Ministry Secretary B.M.U.D. Basnayake, former Fisheries Ministry Secretary N. D. Hettiarachchi and seven other SLAS officers have returned to the pool while a few state ministry secretaries have been ‘upgraded’ to serve in Cabinet ministries.
A few more officers have been swapped between ministries.