Sirisena blasts his Ministry Secy.

Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena severely criticized his Ministry’s Secretary for failing to perform his duties and urged him to find a job elsewhere if he cannot perform his duties properly.

The Minister lashed out at the Ministry Secretary at the Galle District Agrarian Conference held at the Siridahamma Vidyalaya Auditorium in Galle on Monday.

The Minister’s grouse against the Secretary stemmed from the latter’s failure to distribute funds to Agricultural Research and Deputy Production Assistants despite the Treasury allocating a sum of Rs 100 million six months ago for their travel expenses.

The Minister said that even the brief cases for use by these officials have still not been distributed. "Decisions taken are blocked and not implemented. Three chairmen were sent home during the last one and a half years due to corruption and irresponsibility. When I was holding the portfolio of Environment, I got 13 officials remanded. Officials must act with responsibility," the Minister warned.