The boards of directors of the People’s Bank and the Bank of Ceylon that were instructed to be dissolved by the President are currently serving in their respective positions, said Minister of Public Enterprise Lakshman Kiriella and Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera.

The ministers stated this addressing the media today (19).

The President had instructed the subject ministers on Wednesday (17), to inform the members of the director boards of the Board of Investment (BOI), the People’s Bank and the Bank of Ceylon to resign from their positions.

Considering the corruption charges against these institutions, the President had taken the relevant decision with the intention of reforming its boards of directors.

The Bank of Ceylon and the People’s Bank are administered by the Minister of Public Enterprise and Kandy City Development Lakshman Kiriella, while the BOI is under the authority of Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama.

Meanwhile, issuing a press release, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Enterprise and Kandy City Development Ravindra Hewavitharana stated that the President had informed the subject minister Lakshman Kiriella to appoint new boards of directors to the Bank of Ceylon and the People’s Bank as the official terms of the boards of directors have expired.

Necessary measures will be taken pertaining to this in the future, on the agreement of the President and the Prime Minister, however, the current boards of directors will proceed with the management activities of these institutions without any obstructions until then, the Secretary further stated.

When queried by Ada Derana regarding this, Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon Ronald Perera said that he has not been informed by the President or the ministry to resign from his position, hence, it is not necessary for him to resign at the moment.

However, the Chairman of the People’s Bank Hemasiri Fernando did not respond to the telephone calls made by Ada Derana on several occasions to enquire him in this regard.

Meanwhile, the State Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe confirmed that the Director General of the BOI Duminda Ariyasinghe has been informed to resign from his position.

Responding to the queries made by Ada Derana, Media Director of BOI Dilip Samarasinghe stated that the Director General Duminda Ariyasinghe and the members of the board of directors have resigned from their respective positions.