• Alleges negative impact on SLAS due to ‘lack of seniority’ of Prez Secy. & ‘unsuitability’ of Public Security Secy. 

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Party expressed concerns regarding the recent appointments made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People's Power (NPP) administration. 

PHU Leader and former Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila voiced his apprehensions during a press conference held yesterday (26), claiming that these decisions have eroded public confidence placed in the Government. Gammanpila specifically pointed to the appointment of a new Secretary to the President (Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake) and the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, arguing that these selections contradict the principles outlined by the NPP. He claimed that the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) feels disillusioned by the choice of the new Secretary to the President, alleging that the appointee is a junior official within the SLAS. He stated, “Historically, almost all Presidents have appointed either the senior-most administrative officer or a respected public servant to this pivotal role.” Citing historical precedents, he referred to former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena, who appointed senior figures such as Lalith Weeratunga and Austin Fernando, respectively, to the said position. 

He remarked: “When there is no confident senior official to appoint, it is customary to appoint a dignified personality. For instance, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga chose Kusumsiri Balapatabendi, a reputable public servant, as her Secretary.” He raised concerns that appointing a junior officer could demoralise senior SLAS members, who may be reluctant to work under someone with less experience. 

Furthermore, Gammanpila critiqued the appointment of a retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) as the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security (Ravi Seneviratne), alleging that this individual has secured an interim order to prevent an investigation against him. “This is completely immoral,” he alleged, noting the implications of having someone with such a history overseeing the Police. He drew parallels to Weeratunga, who declined an appointment under former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa due to similar concerns. 

He alleged the growing discontent within the administrative service regarding the new administration‘s integrity and decision-making.

Public Security Minister Vijitha Herath and Presidential Media Division Director General Dr. Najith Indika and  were unavailable for comment.