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Public Trustee “missing” amidst political drama
By Shanika Udawatte
President Chandrika Kumaratunga had ordered the Deputy Public Trustee to go ahead signing a document for the removal of the Chairman and two other directors of Associated Newspapers Ceylon Ltd (ANCL) - Lake house - after the Public Trustee had gone 'missing'.

President Kumaratunga in a letter to the Deputy Public Trustee, F R Fernandopulle had said that he was being directed to carry out her instructions 'immediately' as she was "made to understand that the Public Trustee, N.S.A.S. Seneviratne, is not available in office" and "his whereabouts are unknown".

President Kumaratunga had wanted Mr. Fernandopulle to issue letters removing ANCL Chairman Nalin Ladduwahetti, Director Editorial Bandula Padmakumara and Working Director K.D. Somasiri. The public Trustee who could not be traced reported to work the following day.

President Kumaratunga had personally called the Deputy Public Trustee on two occasions while the President's co-ordinating Secretary Sumanatissa Thambugala operating from the Public Trustee's office had made attempts to trace Mr. Seneviratne.

Mr. Seneviratne's wife had said that the Public Trustee had left home in the morning, and she was not aware about his whereabouts and Mr. Thambugala is reported to have said that it was best a police entry is lodged.

Presidential Advisor Mano Tittawella also had called Mr. Fernandopulle and complained about the inability to trace the Public Trustee. Mr. Tittawella had contacted him and said that it was astonishing that such senior government officials went missing when they were provided with official vehicle, telephones etc. to report to work in an emergency.

The Sunday Times learns that Mr. Fernandopulle has filed a full report to the Secretary to Ministry of Buddhasasana about the events leading to the removal of the Lake House Chairman and two others.

Mr. Thambugala had arrived at the Public Trustee Department on Wednesday around 9.15 a.m. with the directives from the President to remove the chairman and the Board of Directors of the ANCL.

Mr. Thambugala who was in the Deputy Public Trustee's chamber, on the directions received from the President’s House, had requested Deputy Public Trustee Fernadopulle to send a 'list of his duties' and a copy of the Public Trustee Act to the President's House. Mr. Fernandopulle has done so after contacting the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhashsana.

Buddhasasana Minister W J M Lokubandara, too, had contacted Mr. Fernandopulle at this stage and directed him to carry out his duties lawfully. After receiving the duty list and a copy of the Public Trustee Act, President Kumaratunga contacted Mr. Fernandopulle and informed him that signing and issuing the letter removing the Chairman and the Board of Directors of the ANCL was part of his duty and he should do so after receiving a letter to that effect from the President.

Mr. Fernandopulle had then met the Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana to discuss the situation and it was decided that he should carry out any written instructions from the President. Mr. Fernandopulle when he returned to his office had received the letter from the President and he acted accordingly.

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