brand logo

Dhammika says no Treasury Secretary offer yet 

06 Apr 2022

  • ‘Nothing is certain till official letter is received’
  • Had expressed willingness to take over post in 2019
  By Madusha Thavapalakumar Billionaire businessman, Vallibel One Chairman, and Hayleys Group Co-Chairman Dhammika Perera, who is tipped to be appointed as the new Secretary to the Treasury following S.R. Attygalle’s resignation, confirmed to The Morning Business last evening (5) that he has not yet received an offer from the Government.  Speaking to us, Perera stated that neither an offer made nor a letter of appointment has been given to him, as of late last evening.  “You know about the Government. You have to get the letter first. I have not received anything yet,” Perera added.  However, when asked whether he is being considered by the Government for the said position or has been approached by the relevant authorities or parties unofficially for the position, he said he has not, as of late last evening.  In January 2019, during an interview with Ada Derana, Perera stated that he is willing to take up the position of Treasury Secretary if invited.  He, at that point, stated that if he became the President of the country, that would give him a term of five years, which would only permit him to work approximately 10,400 hours if he worked eight hours per day, which is not sufficient for a President to change the country.  However, he noted that only someone in a policymaker position, which in his terms is the Treasury Secretary’s position, will be able to make changes to develop the country in 10,400 hours, and that as such, he would be willing to take up a “policymaker” position than being the President of Sri Lanka. “That’s why I prefer a policymaker position to being a politician. The position, such as Treasury Secretary, is a seat that has the ability to bring all ministries together to one office. You only have to make and implement a policy that works for the country then. So if one decision is implemented within each hour after careful study, I can at least take 10,400 decisions and implement them within a five-year term, at the end of the day,” Perera pointed out. “If I get a goal to achieve such a thing, I am keen and willing to accept the Treasury Secretary post, and I will not consider it politically, but will take up the position. I am willing to accept the position of Treasury Secretary, under any government or president or political party,” Perera affirmed. Perera is the Chairman of Royal Ceramics Lanka PLC, Lanka Tiles PLC, Lanka Walltiles PLC, The Fortress Resort PLC, Vallibel Power Erathna PLC, Greener Water Ltd., Delmege Ltd., and LB Microfinance Myanmar Company Ltd. He is the Co-Chairman of Hayleys PLC, The Kingsbury PLC, and Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC; the Executive Deputy Chairman of LB Finance PLC; and the Deputy Chairman of Horana Plantations PLC. He is also an Executive Director of Vallibel Finance PLC and serves on the Boards of Amaya Leisure PLC, Haycarb PLC, Hayleys Fabric PLC, and Dipped Products PLC. He is also a Director of Dhammika and Priscilla Perera Foundation.


More News..