Employees of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority have raised serious concerns over the appointment of an individual with a controversial past to a senior position. In a letter to Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Aviation, Bimal Ratnayake, the group accused the appointee of engaging in unethical practices and exploiting political connections to secure the role.
The letter alleges that this individual, during their tenure at Trincomalee Port, misused a modern high-tech pilot vessel for a private trip arranged for the son of a former Port Chairman. The unauthorized trip resulted in an accident that caused damage exceeding Rs. 20 million. The employees claim that no investigation into the incident has been initiated, suggesting that the individual leveraged political influence to suppress accountability.
The group is urging the Minister to appoint a qualified Additional Managing Director or Senior Director to the position, emphasizing the need for integrity and competence in leadership roles at the Ports Authority. They warn that such questionable appointments could undermine the reputation and operational efficiency of one of the country’s most critical sectors.
