By Adolf
Aruna Shantha visited Canada in October 2025 to attend a BERN Union meeting. He obtained Ministry approval for a five-day visit. However, he drew subsistence allowances from the Corporation for nine days and remained overseas for a total of twelve days, accompanied by his wife.
From the date of his appointment in November 2024, he has been drawing a full salary and associated perks from the Corporation while simultaneously continuing to receive a salary from Sabaragamuwa University, where he was employed as a Professor. Technically a government servant is legally prohibited from drawing two salaries concurrently. This constitutes a serious violation of public service regulations.
These matters have already attracted audit queries from the Government Auditor as well as from the line Ministry (PED). Despite this, the queries remain inadequately addressed, and the individual continues in office without corrective action.
Further, he reinstated a JVP member who had been interdicted in connection with a fraud involving the Hayleys Group. This was done without a formal inquiry and despite an ongoing forensic audit and a pending CID investigation. What is most troubling is the inconsistency in AKDs standards. Similar allegations are being levelled against a former Head of State where restrictions hardly exists, while comparable conduct appears to have been committed by an appointee under the present administration, with Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) now serving as President. Accountability and the rule of law cannot be applied selectively in this administration . The continuation of defeats in the corporative councils is a clear case for action .
Reference
https://youtu.be/StDvRk4-Y_I?si=BM8V02PC7drKl_GA
