Secretary unseated over Presidential Chair
By Manjula Pradeep Weerasuriya
Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Ministry, Wimaladasa Samarasingha has been removed from his post by President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week. He was removed following several complaints regarding shortcomings that had taken place at the National Literary Arts Festival held at Polonnaruwa, Royal College. It is alleged that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had almost fallen from his chair when he was seated.
Meanwhile, many artistes have informed the president that although the festival was a national event, no arrangements had been made to hoist the national flag or sing the national anthem. The inauguration ceremony began around 4 pm with the participation of less than 25 people and had ended by 5.30 pm. But the cultural peagent had started even before the inauguration ceremony.
When contacted, Wimaladasa Samarasingha denied the allegations and said that an organised group of artistes were responsible for making an issue of the shortcomings.
He said that the ministry took a decision regarding ‘adults only’ films and other subsequent decisions which blocked certain artistes from making money, and this had angered them and they were in an all out bid to get him removed. “It was they who instigated the president against me without any reason”, he said.
Lakbimanews
