Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga recently paid a visit to Saman Ekanayake, the former Presidential Secretary currently remanded at Magazine Prison. 

In a statement, Kumaratunga conveyed her rare decision to visit a prison, emphasising her regard for Ekanayake as “a good person and a skilled administrator.”

She highlighted the importance of a competent administrative service for effective governance, stating, “We need a skilled administrative service to run the country.” 

Kumaratunga also criticized what she described as a trend of targeting non-politically aligned administrative officials, a practice she claimed began during the government of J.R. Jayawardena. 

She alleged that the current government continues this pattern of political revenge, which she views as detrimental to national governance.

She emphasised that experienced administrators like Ekanayake are vital, noting that entering the public service demands significant skill and merit. 

Expressing her disapproval of the current situation, Kumaratunga said, “I visited the prison to express my disapproval over the situation. I have worked with him closely. He is a very good person,” underscoring her support for Ekanayake and the importance of fair treatment for civil servants.