May 03, Colombo (LNW): Government sources have exclusively revealed to LNW that claims of an impending resignation by Finance Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperema is entirely false, even as he remains at the center of a sprawling $2.5 million treasury fraud scandal.
Dr. Suriyapperema, who is embroiled in the deepening controversy, has already detailed the full scope of the financial crime before the Committee on Public Finance, chaired by SJB’s Dr. Harsha De Silva. An official government investigation is now underway.
The controversy intensified after opposition critics raised fresh allegations questioning Dr. Suriyapperema’s citizenship. However, top government leadership believes he is “clean” on that matter, according to the same sources.
“There is no truth to any resignation talk. The Secretary has the leadership’s full confidence,” a senior source said. “He is expected to personally clarify the citizenship issue in due course.”
Despite the mounting political pressure, authorities insist Dr. Suriyapperema will remain in his post to navigate the probe and restore credibility to the Treasury.