Now, new governor, TNA on collision course over transfer of top officials

April 5, 2015, 10:19 pm 

By Shamindra Ferdinando

A section of the four-party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Northern Province Governor H. M. G. S. Palihakkara are on a collision course over the latter deferring a series of transfers ordered by the Northern Provincial Council (NPC).

Well informed sources told The Island that one-time Foreign Secretary Palihakkara had intervened on behalf of the arbitrarily transferred Secretaries to ministries of the TNA-run NPC.

The affected officials have also brought the situation to the notice of President Maithripala Sirisena.

Responding to a query by The Island, Jaffna based sources accused Palihakkara of unwarranted interferences in NPC affairs. Sources alleged that the new Governor was following the policies of his predecessor, Maj. Gen. (retd) G.A. Chandrasiri. A section of the TNA has expressed strong displeasure at what Jaffna based sources called interference in spite of the Maithripala Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration promising a free hand for the NPC.

President Maithripala Sirisena replaced Chandrasiri with Palihakkara within weeks after winning the Jan.8 presidential poll. The TNA publicly welcomed the appointment. However, a hardline section of the Tamil Diaspora alleged that Palihakkara could be worse than the retired army officer.

The TNA comprises the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and former militant groups, the TELO, the PLOTE and the EPRLF.

The TNA won the first NPC poll in Sept 2013.

A spokesperson for the Governor’s Secretariat told The Island that Jaffna based Uthayan had accused the Governor of interfering in NPC last week. "The Governor’s Secretariat responded to Uthayan," the official said, adding that transfer of Ministry Secretaries was deferred in accordance with powers vested in the Governor.

Authoritative sources said that Governor had asserted in no uncertain terms that transfers couldn’t be carried out without adequate consultation and consideration of relevant matters. Sources pointed out that those who had been transferred as well as Chairman of the NOC, C. V. K. Sivagnanam expressed serious concern over indiscriminate transfers. Sources said that an agreement on transfers could be reached on the basis of recommendations made by the Board of Ministers following consultations among the concerned parties.

Responding to a query, sources said that in accordance with the Constitution, the Government had the authority to make such appointments.

The simmering dispute has taken a surprising turn with NPC Chairman C.V. K. Sivagnanam taking up the issue with Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran. Sivagnanam has asserted that such arbitrary transfer of officials was unfair. The former public service officer has emphasised that transfers should be based on sound criterion.

Sources said that the TNA leadership, too, had been briefed of the situation at NPC, though the issue was yet to be resolved.