News
Zoo remains headless for fifth consecutive week; probe on DG’s complaint continues
The country’s zoological gardens have been operating without a head for the fifth consecutive week with the probe on the director general’s complaint against zoo employees yet to be completed.
Shermila Rajapaksha
Zoological Gardens Director General Shermila Rajapaksha temporarily withdrew from her duties for two weeks following a dispute with sections of the trade unions. On January 20, she said she was withdrawing from duties to facilitate an impartial inquiry into her complaint that some zoo employees had changed the cage locks, endangering the safety of animals and visitors.
Ms Rajapaksha told the Sunday Times the Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry Secretary had urged her to stay away from work until the probe was completed.
She said a broader investigation was being held at the Dehiwala zoo to identify the key issues.
She said that after the expiry of the two weeks, she reported to work on February 14 and informed the President and the ministry secretary in writing that she had resumed work.
However, the following day she received a letter signed by the Wildlife Protection State Ministry Secretary, requesting her to stay
away from work until investigations were over.
Ms. Rajapaksha said the police investigations into the change of locks had been completed and action would be taken against those responsible.
Meanwhile, Wildlife Protection State Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake confirmed to the Sunday Times that his ministry secretary had sent a letter to the Zoo Director General.
He said the Ministry of Public Administration was carrying out the investigation into the DG’s complaint. “We informed her that it is best if she waits until the investigation is concluded. We did that in the best interest of the Zoological Department. It is not good for her to work while there is an ongoing investigation,” he said.
The state minister said that although the DG claimed that the President had requested her to return to work, he had not received any official correspondence regarding that.
He said that there were rules and regulations to follow in the public service. No one could work as they willed. “Even if the investigation is not against her, we should find out why the zoo employees resorted to trade union action,” he said.
Wildlife Minister C.B Ratnayake said he was awaiting the outcome of the investigation to take necessary action.
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