Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff of Parliament, Senior Advocate Chaminda Kularatne, has been suspended with effect from yesterday (23).
Kularatne, who has served in this position since September 15, 2023, was suspended due to a problematic situation that has arisen regarding his appointment, according to parliamentary sources.
The decision was taken by the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Council, which met in Parliament yesterday afternoon (23). According to the sources he was suspended over an issue with his appointment as the Deputy Secretary General.
The official members of the Advisory Council are the Speaker, the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, the Minister of Finance or his representative, and the Secretary General of Parliament.
The meeting was attended by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Leader of the House Minister Bimal Ratnayake, Chief Opposition Organizer Gayantha Karunathilaka on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha representing the Minister of Finance, and Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera.
Concerns within Council Members
It is reported that some members of the Council expressed concern that Deputy Secretary General Chaminda Kularatne had not been summoned or questioned before the decision was taken.
There is also criticism that the so-called “preliminary investigation” against him is a serious violation of constitutional law and established administrative procedures.
Kularatne to take legal action ?
However, it is learned that Mr. Chaminda Kularatne has already decided to take legal action against this decision.
Senior Advocate Chaminda Kularatne has held many executive-level positions in the government during a career spanning over 20 years. These include Chief Organizing Secretary of the Government Party in Parliament, Additional Secretary to the President, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Additional Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, Ministerial Advisor to the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, Senior Assistant Secretary to the President, and Assistant Secretary to the President, among others.
