VIDEO: If my actions are wrong why have I not been removed from my post? - PB

Treasury Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera questioned as to why he has not been removed from his post if his actions as treasury secretary were questionable.

He said that even though it is a complicated process to remove a Minister from his post it was not so to remove a public servant from a post.

He pointed out that public officials work under the government and they did not work in an environment in which they can take arbitrary decisions adding that if there was such a situation it would be the fault of the government.

Jayasundera stated that his role was to implement whatever official decisions were taken by government Ministers.

He also stated that when correct decisions were taken the Ministers take credit for it but shift all the blame to other officials during any mishaps.

The Treasury Secretary also rejected claims that the relevant Ministries were not informed regarding the private sector pensions bill.

He revealed that the bill was discussed at a meeting first and then it was presented to parliament as a budget proposal and was thereafter discussed at length with the attendance of the President.

He added that the bill did not succeed because the political leadership which was to back the bill did not unite while he explained that he believes that the bill should be implemented.

The Secretary also rejected claims that the taxes on vehicles were increased to serve a small minority of people while he explained that the decision was taken following several discussions on the matter and that the number of car imports had dropped significantly from 2011 when 5 million vehicles were imported into the country.