EXCLUSIVEBy Yvonne Wilson
(July 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Institute is affiliated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is managed by a Board of Management, chaired by the Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, M. P. Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Board includes Air Chief Marshall Donald Perera, Mr. Chandra Fernando(the retired IGP who is a favourite nominee of the Minister), Dr. Upananda Vidanapathirana, Dr. Jayatissa de Costa(the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission), Mrs. Suganthie Kadirgamar, Mr. C. A. N. Perera(a former Sales and Marketing Executive), and Mr. Ashroff Omar. Mr. C. A. N. Perera(an old friend of Minister Bogollagama), Member of the Board of Management serves as the Director General of the Institutein addition to his post as Chairman of SLECIC-the only qualification being a friend of the Minister. Brig. Vipul Botejue serves as its Deputy Director.
With affiliation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was envisaged that the Institute would be a forum at which policy planning and the formulation of policy alternatives would be addressed and analysed. Emphasis is placed on connectivity that would be provided through this Institute.
Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, M.P. has highlighted the need for the Institute to be a much needed think-tank in Sri Lanka reflecting upon crucial issues ranging from Maritime Security to Counter Terrorism, the Rule of Law as well as Strategic Diplomacy. He has stressed the need for ensuring that due focus is placed on strategic studies with the Institute being a reflection of Sri Lanka to the outside world, thereby taking its place among the Institutes of repute and stature the world over that engage in the study of international relations and strategy.
But what goes on at the Kadirgamar Institute situated at Horton Place ? The Centre is given hire for meetings. No academic work is done. No research work is done. Why? The Members of
the Board of Management are ineffective and have no professional nor academic experience. They are all personal friends of Minister Bogollagama.
C.A.N.Perera is absolutely clueless about even the Mission statement and objectives of the Kadirgamar Institute. The only person who is qualified and may shed light into the Institute is Suganthie Kadirgamar but she has been cast aside by the Bogollagama clan. In addition to his portfolio as Chairman of SLECIC , C.A.N.Perera cant even set up schedules for academic programs.
It is a total wastage of resources. Over to you, Your Excellency President Rajapaksa, to stop your Minister of Foreign Affairs from making a fool of himself and the Kadirgamar Institute at his whims and fancies. A colossal amount of money is wasted monthly. Either the President should take over the institute under his purview or give it to Dr.Palitha Kohona to regulate it.
Shame on you Minister Bogollagama. Your vested interests are draining state funds. You are accountable to the State.
(Minister Rohitha Bogollagama was evasive and refused to grant the writer an interview )
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