Trade union activist Ananda Palitha has issued a detailed reply to the letter sent by Ananda Rajakaruna, Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Petroleum Warehouse Company. Palitha’s reply, sent through his legal counsel, addresses Rajakaruna’s accusations following claims of excessive salaries, misuse of official vehicles, and other alleged corrupt practices.
In his letter, Palitha denies all allegations and asserts that his statements during press conferences were based on factual evidence. He emphasizes that his actions are motivated by a commitment to public accountability and transparency, particularly concerning state-run institutions like the CPC.
Below is the full text of Ananda Palitha’s reply:
Mr. Sampath Yalewatte, Attorney at Law,
No. 1142/22, Asiri Uyana,
Wasalawatta Road, Liyanagoda, Pannipitiya.
Sir,
This is a letter in reply to the letter
I am writing on the instructions of my client, Don Dematage Ananda Palitha, residing at No. 43/8, Sinha Road, Keranga Pokuna, Wattala. I am directed to reply to the letter dated 24/12/2024 sent by you to my client.
My client hereby expressly denies all the matters contained in your above letter, both together and separately.
My client states at the outset that all the facts stated by my client at the media conference as stated in the above-mentioned affidavit are true and that the disclosure of true facts at such a media conference cannot be considered as a defamation or insult to any person.
My client further states that my client is an employee of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Petroleum Stocks and Finishing Company (CPSTL) who retired on 21.10.2018 after completing more than 40 years of continuous service and that during his service as a trade union activist, he has been and is a civil activist who has been working and is working to educate the people of the country about the corrupt practices of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Petroleum Stocks and Finishing Company by holding media conferences and through that, to protect the rights of petroleum workers and the entire people of the country.
My client has stated that even after retirement, my client will continue to work as a trade union officer of the National Employees Union and as the media spokesperson and convener of the Trade Union Alliance affiliated to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Party since 2022, and accordingly, a general press conference was held on behalf of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Trade Union at the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Trade Union Headquarters in Pitakotte on 13.12.2024.
My client also advised me that when my client and two other members of the Trade Union Alliance affiliated to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Party met the President’s Public Relations Director at the Presidential Secretariat on 06.12.2024 and presented facts regarding the corrupt appointments of the Chairman and Directors of the Oil Corporation and the Petroleum Company, the Presidential Secretariat also had a large amount of information regarding the said corrupt practices and that the necessary action would be taken promptly and that despite the statements made by the President’s Public Relations Director, it was not apparent that action would be taken in this regard, therefore, there was a need to hold that media conference and inform the people of the country. Also, at that time, the President’s Public Relations Director has revealed that it is the government’s policy that a corporation chairman should perform a dignified service without taking a salary or should serve at a minimum salary and that transportation duties should be carried out at a minimum cost.
My client also states that after the said media conference, on 18.12.2024, in response to an article prepared by my client in the “Aruna” newspaper, mentioning my client’s name, the Chairman of the Petroleum Corporation informed the Director of Government Information through a letter bearing the letterhead of the Corporation that legal action would be taken against all parties involved in the said news and accordingly, on the instructions of the Director of Government Information, the same stand of the Chairman of the Petroleum Corporation was publicized through all media. Accordingly, on 19.12.2024, my client held another media conference and informed the media in detail about the corrupt practices of the Chairman of the Petroleum Corporation with relevant statistical data, my client stated while instructing me.
My client further states that my client has submitted true information with bill numbers regarding the purchase of cashew nuts by the Petroleum Corporation and that it is well established that your client is taking steps to suppress the corrupt practices committed by your client as the Chairman of the Petroleum Corporation by initiating investigations against the officers who provided information to suppress the relevant true information.
My client also states that the facts stated by my client at the media conference regarding the salaries received by the Chairman of the Petroleum Corporation are completely true.
My client advised me that the current Chairman, as the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Petroleum Storage Company, receives a salary of six hundred and twenty-five thousand rupees (Rs. 625,000/-) and a director’s salary of fifteen thousand rupees (Rs. 15,000/-) as per the Petroleum Storage Company’s Board of Directors’ Circular No. 252 dated 10.11.2024.
My client further states that as per the circular of the Ministry of Finance No. PED 01/2020 and dated 2020.01.27, the maximum monthly allowance that a Chairman of a corporation can receive is only one hundred thousand rupees (Rs. 100,000/-) and as per the circular of the Ministry of Finance No. PED 03/2015 and dated 2015.06.17, if a person who is a full-time Chairman of one institution holds the position of Chairman of another institution, only 50% of the allowance received from the first institution should be received as an allowance from the second institution. Accordingly, my client states that although your client is legally entitled to receive a monthly allowance of one hundred thousand rupees (Rs. 100,000/-) as the Chairman of the Petroleum Corporation and a monthly allowance of fifty thousand rupees (Rs. 50,000/-) as the Chairman of the Petroleum Stock Company, his corrupt practices are confirmed by the fact that your client has received a salary of six hundred and twenty-five thousand rupees (Rs. 625,000/-) as per the above-mentioned Petroleum Stock Company Board of Directors’ Circular No. 252 dated 10.11.2024.
Thank You
The letter continues in a similar vein, providing further details of alleged financial mismanagement, misuse of vehicles, and disregard for government policies.
Palitha’s allegations and detailed letter have raised serious questions about governance and accountability within the CPC. The ongoing conflict between the two parties underscores the challenges faced in ensuring transparency in state institutions. The public and legal scrutiny resulting from this exchange could have far-reaching consequences for the CPC’s administration.
