Treasury secretary Dr P.B.Jayasundera’s room is locked, he is not coming to work, sources said, when the ‘Island’ checked on the veracity of rumours said that he had resigned from office.

They further said that according to the constitution, once the life span a old parliament expires (as it did so after the results of the last elections were announced according to them), ministry secretaries also automatically cease to hold office.

‘Running of ministries, until new secretaries are appointed, is in the hand of additional secretaries,’ they said. Jayasundera could not be contacted for confirmation. It was further rumoured that UNP chairman Charitha Ratwatte would be the new treasury secretary. Ratwatte when contacted said that he was not aware that he is the new treasury secretary. ‘No appontments have so far been made,’ he said. (PA)