COLOMBO — Ajith Dharmasuriya alleges that false information was used to secure a legal appointment at the National Film Corporation and calls for an investigation into the handling of personnel records and subsequent administrative decisions.
A complaint reportedly submitted to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has called for an investigation into the appointment of a senior legal officer at Sri Lanka’s National Film Corporation, alleging irregularities in the officer’s qualifications and attempts to obstruct an internal examination of the appointment.
The complaint, attributed to Ajith P. Dharmasuriya of Ad House, concerns the appointment of Wathsala Kumudini Wickramaarachchi, whom the Corporation’s official directory identifies as Assistant General Manager, Legal and Secretary to the Board.
Dharmasuriya alleges that Wickramaarachchi provided false information when applying for the legal position in 2009 and that the circumstances surrounding her appointment warrant investigation for possible corruption.
His allegations extend to the handling of her personnel file, the conduct of administrative officers and decisions involving the Corporation’s former and subsequent General Managers.
The information supplied does not establish that CIABOC has reached any findings against the individuals named, nor does it include an independently authenticated determination that the appointment was unlawful.
Complaint Questions Qualifications Submitted in 2009
The allegations centre partly on documents associated with Wickramaarachchi’s original application for the legal officer position.
According to the complaint, the relevant records include an application dated July 10, 2009, containing details of the qualifications she submitted.
A separate communication dated August 2009 is described as having been forwarded by M. Lakshman Perera, then Additional Secretary for Administration at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage, to the Chairman of the National Film Corporation.
Dharmasuriya has requested an examination of these documents to establish whether the qualifications and information presented during the recruitment process were accurate.
The existence of an application and a ministry communication does not, by itself, demonstrate wrongdoing.
Determining whether the appointment involved false representations would require examination of the original application, supporting qualifications, recruitment requirements, selection records and appointment approvals.
The Corporation’s current official website confirms Wickramaarachchi’s senior legal and administrative position but does not independently establish the circumstances under which she was originally recruited.
Filmmaker Ajith Dharmasuriya has raised allegations concerning a senior appointment, earlier public-sector salary payments and possible administrative irregularities.
Allegations of Withheld Personnel File
A separate allegation concerns an internal examination reportedly initiated by former National Film Corporation General Manager Ravi Kaluppahana.
According to Dharmasuriya’s complaint, Kaluppahana attempted to investigate the circumstances of the legal officer’s appointment but encountered difficulties obtaining relevant administrative records.
The complainant alleges that Administrative Officer Namal Weerabahu, also identified in the supplied account as Thamal Nethranjana Weerabahu, deliberately withheld the legal officer’s personnel file from the former General Manager.
The Corporation’s official directory identifies Namal Weerabahu as its Administrative Officer responsible for Administration and Human Resources.
However, his official position does not establish that he withheld records improperly or interfered with an investigation.
Dharmasuriya has also raised suspicions that documents in the personnel file may have been removed or replaced.
The complaint refers to possible involvement by Chairman Sudath Mahaadivulwewa and the administrative officer in the alleged handling of the file.
These are serious allegations because alteration or destruction of official personnel records could undermine the integrity of recruitment procedures and subsequent administrative investigations.
No independently verified evidence has been provided establishing that documents were destroyed, substituted or falsified, or that the Chairman authorised such conduct.
An investigation would need to compare the original personnel records with copies maintained by relevant ministries, recruitment authorities and other official repositories.
Former General Manager’s Departure Also Questioned
Dharmasuriya’s complaint further alleges that Ravi Kaluppahana’s term as General Manager was not extended after he sought to examine the appointment.
The complainant suggests a connection between the proposed internal inquiry and the decision concerning Kaluppahana’s continued service.
That alleged connection has not been independently established.
The complaint also questions the subsequent appointment of Ruwan Premaweera, alleging that he had previously been dismissed from public service but was later appointed General Manager with Cabinet approval.
Official Government Information Department reporting confirms that Ruwan Premaweera served as General Manager and participated in a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior film industry representatives on November 26, 2025.
That record establishes his publicly reported position at the time, but does not confirm the allegation of a previous dismissal or establish whether his appointment involved any breach of public-service requirements.
Those questions would require examination of the relevant employment history, Cabinet approval, appointment documents and applicable administrative regulations.
The complaint’s suggestion that Kaluppahana was removed or denied an extension in retaliation for seeking an investigation also remains unproven.
Alleged WhatsApp Messages Cited as Evidence of Pressure
Another aspect of the complaint concerns communications allegedly sent to Dharmasuriya through WhatsApp.
He claims that Premaweera attempted to pressure him in connection with the allegations against the legal officer.
The complainant maintains that printed copies of the relevant messages are available for submission to CIABOC.
The messages themselves have not been independently authenticated or examined for this report.
Their existence, contents, dates, authorship and surrounding circumstances would need to be verified before conclusions could be drawn about intimidation, interference or improper influence.
Even where electronic messages are produced, investigators must establish their authenticity and context before determining whether they demonstrate any unlawful conduct.
The allegations therefore remain claims made by the complainant rather than findings against Premaweera.
Documents Identified for Examination
The material described in the complaint identifies several documents and administrative records that could be relevant to an investigation:
- Application dated July 10, 2009: The legal officer’s original application, including the qualifications and professional information reportedly submitted during recruitment.
- August 2009 ministry correspondence: A letter attributed to Additional Secretary M. Lakshman Perera concerning the application and its referral to the National Film Corporation Chairman.
- Personnel and administrative records: Documents concerning the appointment, subsequent service history and the former General Manager’s reported attempts to examine the file.
- Alleged WhatsApp communications: Messages which Dharmasuriya says he can produce to support his complaint about pressure and interference.
The supplied account describes these materials, but does not independently authenticate their complete contents or establish that CIABOC has accepted any particular allegation as proven.
Complaint Sent to Senior Government Authorities
According to the complainant, copies of the allegations have also been forwarded to several senior officeholders and institutions.
These include the President, Prime Minister, ministers responsible for cultural and parliamentary affairs, the Secretary to the relevant ministry, the National Film Corporation Chairman and its Board of Directors.
Dharmasuriya has requested an expeditious and impartial investigation into the appointment and the subsequent handling of administrative records.
The allegations concern matters that could be examined through recruitment documentation, official correspondence, personnel-file access records, appointment approvals and authenticated electronic communications.
The National Film Corporation’s official directory confirms the positions of several individuals identified in the complaint, but those listings do not establish the truth of the allegations against them.
No response from Wickramaarachchi, Weerabahu, Mahaadivulwewa or Premaweera to the specific allegations has been independently obtained for this report.
Likewise, no official finding from CIABOC confirming corruption, document tampering or improper influence has been established.
The immediate question is whether the Commission will examine the complaint and seek the underlying records necessary to determine whether any administrative or criminal irregularities occurred.
Until those findings are available, the accusations remain disputed matters requiring independent investigation.
