The Board of Directors of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Authority or NARA last met on December 31
A letter written to the subject minister by the Chairman of NARA following the conclusion of this meeting goes to show that the Board of Directors had discussed and reached decisions on two of the issues repeatedly highlighted by Action TV since December 8.The two issues that were discussed include the decision to allocate 30 million rupees to construct a boat without the approval of the board of directors as well as the treasury, and the matter concerning the handling of funds related to the consultancy services rendered during the Colombo Port expansion project.However, the boat which has been anchored in the Hamilton Canal for over a year as it is, is in a dilapidated state.NARA had appointed a retired
government official to look into the payments made to construct the boat.On December 21, 2012 Action TV revealed that the final report compiled following the investigation was swept under the carpet.The letter written by the Chairman of NARA to the subject minister notes that attention was focussed after a lapse of nearly three months, on the investigation report during the December 31, meeting.The Chairman of NARA informed the minister through the letter that the report had prompted the board of directors to launch an initial investigation against the head of finance at NARA, in connection to the construction of the vessel.The letter also notes that the board of directors had decided on the composition of the committee that will look into these irregularities.The composition of this investigative committee is truly a surprising one.According to the decision of the board of directors, one member of the investigative committee should be appointed by the subject minister.However, the subject minister is not a protocol officer.The members of an investigative committee should be named or appointed by the secretary to the ministry or a similar official who can be considered as a protocol officer.This letter proves that the board of directors has taken steps to undermine the authority of the secretary to the ministry who is considered a protocol officer as well as the chief remuneration officer.Incidentally the secretary to the subject ministry, in his official capacity is also a member of the NARA Board of Directors.
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