By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): Government employees of the Eastern Province have taken a stand against Minister of Environment Naseer Ahamed who was accused of publicly threatening several government officials, including the Education Secretary of the Province.
Ahamed was seen threatening the said officials by babbling that “he can sack anyone as he pleases overnight,” in what public servants described as a direct blow in the head against the honour of the public service.
The Minister’s comments will only provoke anger among all public servants in the country, and one of such authority cannot act as if Sri Lanka’s public service is his personal property, one official on the condition of anonymity told LNW.
Ahamed who was elected to Parliament as a member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) the main Opposition being submissive to his craving for a ministerial post in the government simply betrayed the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and its allied parties, he reminded, stressing that government employees are not ready to serve in such double standards.
The Environment Minister is at the centre of criticism from government officials to even MPs over his threatening comments in Kattankudy. Ahamed was seen threatening the officials by babbling, “I can sack anyone as I please overnight because this is my area, I will not let anyone walk freely on the road.“
Ahamed’s comments appear in a provocative manner instigating racial disharmony between Sinhala and Muslim people, and the petty political agenda the Minister has resorted to has already met with severe condemnation by the public servants and MPs alike.
A renowned trade union told LNW that they are appealing to President Wickremesinghe over Ahamed’s conduct, and a massive strike action will be launched with the support of public officials, should he fail to take an immediate action.
