Palmyrah Board employees object political appointment by NPP over corruption claims

by admin
Nov 7, 2024

Employees of the Palmyrah Development Board (PDB) in Kaithady, Jaffna, staged a demonstration outside the board’s offices, voicing opposition to the recent appointment of Vinayakamurthy Sahadeva as the new chairman. The protest comes after the former chairman Mariapillai Selvin was removed from his post. 

The protestors held a slogan calling on the NPP government to cancel the appointment with immediate effect and that an incompetent manager such as Sahadeva should be removed. They also held slogans asking the government to give reasons for the sacking of the former chairman and his younger brother, saying it was an attempt by this government to cover up corruption within the board. 

The protest is the latest chapter in a tumultuous period for the PDB, which saw Selvin initially appointed as chairman under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. However, he was swiftly replaced by Sahadeva shortly after assuming his role. The United Employees Union of the same board meanwhile has criticised the appointment of Selvin whom they say his tenure was marred by corruption and fraud. 

In a letter to Plantation Minister Vijitha Herath, the union highlighted that during audits conducted from 2015 to 2019, there were findings of financial irregularities amounting to millions. According to the union, the ministry has since been working to recover the misappropriated funds, which allegedly involve fraudulent transactions under Selvin’s watch. 

According to an article published in the morning newspaper, the union strongly urged the minister to reconsider the nominee’s suitability for the position of Chairperson. The employees expressed concerns that appointing someone implicated in such serious financial misconduct could undermine the integrity of the board and jeopardise its operations.

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Official trailer for film below.

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