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Minister disconnects with SLT Chief’s huge housing allowance
Minister disconnects with SLT Chief’s huge housing allowanceA decision reportedly taken by the Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) board to approve a huge monthly housing allowance of Rs. 725,000 for its Chairman P.G. Kumarasinghe Sirisena has been challenged by Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando. The minister told the Sunday Times yesterday that he had told the Prime Minister that the figure approved for the housing allowance was too high and a review was needed.
“I am responsible to Parliament as the SLT comes under the purview of my ministry. I cannot change a decision taken by the board as its chairman has been appointed by the President,” he said. Chairman Kumarasinghe Sirisena is the brother of the President.
However, SLT Director W.H.K. Wagapitiya claimed that no such decision had been taken as stated by the Minister.
Earlier, Mr Fernando had written to the SLT chairman, saying that as the minister he was not being kept informed about the decisions taken by the board.
Mr. Kumarasinghe in his reply is learnt to have told Minister Fernando that SLT is a public quoted company and he is therefore answerable to the shareholders. An attempt by the Sunday Times to obtain a response from Mr. Kumarasinghe was not successful, with no response to the calls or the messages on the mobile phone.
The minister in his letter said he believed in leadership styles which empowered managements to run their operations with freedom under supervision. However an integral part of their styles of leadership was clear communication and accountability.
He said that on numerous occasions, he had requested information on pending board decisions, reviews on major decisions, projects, union issues, employment guidance and other information pertaining to spending of public money. These responsibilities seemed to have fallen by the wayside and he was yet to receive information he sought on many issues since his appointment.
“I hearby instruct you to organize review meetings to go through all operational, financial and management matters with me. I also want to be kept informed of all pending board matters and decisions. Copies of the minutes of all board meetings and subsidiary board meetings have to be sent to me personally. All employees and HR related matters should also be discussed before decisions are made,” the minister said in his letter copied to the President and the Prime Minister.