State Minister of Defence & Mass Media Ruwan Wijewardene has accused President Maithripala Sirisena of blocking his efforts to change the management of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC). In a twitter message today, Wijewardene said SLRC was making losses and his efforts to turn around the corporation through a change in management for several months had been obstructed by the president. According to Wijewardene SLRC’s draws Rs 40 Mn per month as salaries from the Treasury. Wijewardene  made this statement following a  gazette notification issued yesterday bringing SLRC under the purview of the Ministry of Defence which is headed by President Maithripala Sirisena.

SLRC is operating at a loss. Through Treasury, tax payers have been funding SLRC’s salary bill of Rs 40m per month. For months I’ve been trying to change the management but was obstructed by the president. Latest attempt resulted in @MaithripalaS gazetting SLRC under his purview.

— Ruwan Wijewardene (@RWijewardene) September 9, 2019