Elections DG says new ministry appointments are legal

The Election Secretariat (ES) yesterday (13) said the appointment of new secretaries to several cabinet ministries
during the pre-election period was not illegal.

As the cabinet ministries were not under the purview of the ES during the pre-election period of the country, the
appointment or changing of secretaries to such ministries could take place, Director General of Elections Saman Sri
Ratnayake told The Morning.

“Such incidents have occurred during previous elections as well,” he said.

According to him, there were practical issues pertaining to the changing or appointing of secretaries to cabinet
ministries, as if one retired during the pre-election period, that vacant position could be filled.
In addition to the appointment of a new secretary to the Ministry of Health, secretary positions in several ministries
have been changed.

By Maheesha Mudugamuwa