Sequel to Wigneswaran’s demand:

TNA intensifies campaign against NPC Chief Secy with death threats

by Uditha Kumarasinghe and P.Krishnasamy

The intensified campaign against the Chief Secretary of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) by Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran and other TNA Council members has ended in death threats.

Chief Secretary of the Northern Provincial Council Mrs. R. Wijialudchumi Ramesh when contacted by the Sunday Observer yesterday said that she has been receiving death threats via SMS from abroad and telephone calls from unknown persons demanding her to give up her post.

The death threats come weeks after Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister Wigneswaran’s demand to oust Mrs. R.Wijialudchumi Ramesh from her post and appoint another SLAS officer of their choice. Wigneswaran has not only demanded the removal of Chief Secretary of the Northern Provincial Council but also its Governor G.L. Chandrasiri.

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne said that the Chief Secretary Wijaialudchumi Ramesh has not done anything wrong and that she has acted with responsibility based on the guidelines of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service.

The NPC Chief Secretary who addressed a media briefing by the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SLASA) in Colombo on Thursday said that she had received death threats from the NPC administration. The NPC Chief Secretary alleged that she is receiving death threats via SMS from abroad and unknown telephone calls threatening her to give up her post.

Minister Seneviratne said there is no necessity for his ministry to take action as this is a disclosure of threats received by a Government official and the police has already taken steps in this regard. She disclosed this to safeguard her life and duly informed the police. The Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry Secretary had also inquired about this from the police. At present she has been provided security by the police, the Minister said.

Minister Seneviratne said when Wigneswaran assumed office as the NPC Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary had worked closely with him and the Provincial Council administration. Now they level allegations that the Chief Secretary does not cooperate with them. Information has also been received that some foreign organisations affiliated to the pro LTTE Tamil diaspora are also behind the move to remove the NPC Chief Secretary from her post.

The NPC Chief Secretary said the other SLAS members are also under pressure to vacate their posts to enable the NPC to appoint those willing to pursue its agenda. The SLASA also accused the NPC administration of intimidating its Chief Secretary and other officials.

SLASA officials said the NPC Chief Secretary is under heavy pressure from the NPC administration to support its agenda. The SLASA which expressed serious concern over the developments in the Northern Province warned that such interference could cause an adverse impact on the country’s post reconciliation process.The Association has called for the immediate intervention of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri to end the intimidation of the Chief Secretary.

The Chief Secretary of Northern Province Ms. Vijaialudchumi Ramesh said that she was receiving death threats by way of SMS from abroad and phone calls from unknown elements who wanted her and other Sri Lanka Administrative officers in the Council to vacate their positions immediately to enable the ruling party to have their favourite officials.

She said that public officials in provincial councils and the line ministries have no peace of mind when carrying out their duties due to political elements in the ruling party interfering in their duties. She said that their primary duty was to protect the interest of the State and ensure that no person misuses or misappropriates public wealth.

She and her fellow officials of the Administrative Service had given their utmost cooperation to the members of the Northern Provincial Council within the rules and regulations of the country, she said.