Officials perturbed by PB’s comeback plans

Finance Ministry officials are ‘greatly’ concerned over former Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera’s possible return to his job, after he filed a motion in the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking to withdraw an assurance given that he won’t accept public office.

A senior ministry official told the Sunday Times FT that the hidden agenda of Jayasundera’s plans to return to his previous position or to the post of advisor, was to continue without consulting the other senior officials. He said that he cannot understand why the President wanted him back.

Dr Jayasundera was forced to retire from his post after the Supreme Court faulted him with regard to the privatisation of Lanka Marine Services (LMS). He was also fined Rs. 500,000. If his plea is granted, he would in all likelihood, replace the present Treasury Secretary Sumith Abeysinghe who is due to retire shortly. The official said appointing Jayasundera to the post of Treasury Secretary again or as a Presidential Adviser is in contrast to the theme, objectives and the essence of the Supreme Court verdict.