Row over Pillayan’s senior advisor

(September 14, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Government has turned down a request of Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan to extend the services of his Senior Advisor Dr. K. Vigneshwaran amidst allegations that the official is known to be toeing a pro-Indian line.

Dr. Vigneshwaran, formerly a secretary to Minister Douglas Devananda, was initially appointed for three months soon after the new provincial coucil was formed in the east. Dr. Vigneshwaran was playing a key role in handling administrative activities of the provincial council on behalf of the Chief Minister.

Tamil Makkal Vidudalai Pulikal (TMVP) leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna said he also had requested that Dr. Vigneshwaran’s term not be extended due to his close links with India, but the chief minister was insisting that his services be extended.

Mr. Muralitharan said Dr. Vigneshwaran was earlier the secretary to the first Northeastern Chief Minister Varatharaja Perumal who was known to be heavily influenced by the Indian government. Reliable learns the chief minister is continuing to engage his services in a private capacity.- Sri Lanka Guardian