Despite a Treasury directive to suspend recruitment to the public service, provincial public services including local authorities, public corporations, statutory boards and government owned companies, a minister has hired seven persons believed to be supporters of a political party on contract basis, informed sources said.

"Each will be paid Rs. 15,000 and have the use of a government-maintained car," the sources said. The new employees have been identified as co-ordinating officers.

Treasury Secretary and Secretary to the Finance Ministry Charitha Ratwatte in a circular dated May 23 said that all recruitment on permanent, temporary, casual, substitute, contract or any other basis, should cease immediately. However, he allowed recruitment done in extraordinary circumstances but only with his approval.

"Requests for such approval should necessarily be made with the justification and recommendations of the secretaries to relevant line ministries or the chief secretaries to provincial councils", Ratwatte said. - (SF)