SLT Chairman Kumarasinghe Sirisena refutes allegations

In a media statement the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), P. G Kumarasinghe Sirisena, dismissed allegations levelled against him in connection with a substantial housing allowance paid to him in his capacity as Chairman SLT.

It was previously reported, by a section of the media, that the Board of Directors of SLT approved a housing allowance amounting to Rs. 725,000, for the Chairman.

However, according to reports the grant of the housing allowance was overruled by the Minister of Telecommunication and Digital infrastructure, Harin Fernando. Fernando was quoted as saying the SLT Board was not updating him on financial matters and other decisions taken by the company.

The statement issued by, SLT, however denies that any figure was suggested for the Chairman’s housing allowance. It stated that allegations of the Chairman losing the support of the Trade Unions within SLT, concluding a sub-optimal tender with the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation and attempting to increase his stipend beyond that of his predecessors were false.

We publish the statement issued by the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom in full

P G Kumarasingha Sirisena as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom wishes to counter all allegations that certain media have been publishing, misleading the public and defaming his character. Added to this insult is the front page article carried in the a weekly newspaper of April 24, 2016 (Name of newspaper withheld due to ethical reasons), alleging a lack of transparency and that Minister Harin Fernando halted a Board decision to pay USD 5000.00 as a housing allowance to the Chairman.

The Minister categorically denies making such a statement to the media, either in his official capacity or in private which he stated again in public, in the presence of the media and government officials at the telecom project launching ceremony held at Cinnamon Lakeside on April 25, 2016.

The alleged house rent was a suggestion made and discussed, not by the Chairman, due to the significant amount of time the Chairman spends on the road. However, no decision was taken or any mount fixed as well as no dollar payment was suggested.

As a responsible officer in the state sector for over 30 years, and as the present Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom Group he categorically denied these allegations levelled against him. Furthermore, the Chairman has not drawn any extra payment, housing or any other allowance or any form of remuneration from the group as salary or otherwise, other than what was drawn by previous Chairmen.

It is alleged that the employees want the Chairman ousted but the convenor of the Sri Lanka Telecom Trade Union Alliance has expressed his regret and has withdrawn the letter that was circulated with his signature being forged and assured their fullest support to the Chairman.

An investigation has been launched into the incident. With reference to the allegation of awarding the Mobitel insurance tender to the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, he assured the initiative was taken to safeguard the organisation and the interest of the government, as Sri Lanka Insurance was a state-owned institution.

The procedure adopted by the company infringed Public Finance circular 04/2015 and the Board was compelled to make a quick decision. The decision was to extend the existing contract with Sri Lanka Insurance by two months, thereby, giving sufficient time to make a more prudent decision to benefit both Mobitel as well as the investment of a government entity. The advantages to the SLT Group as a whole was considered in making this decision.

He wished to inform that his services to the state and the people through Sri Lanka Telecom will continue irrespective of the unsubstantiated allegations made by world business crooks who were affected by his presence in Sri Lanka’s elecommunications industry.