Resignation letter submitted to President

Secretary to Treasury Dr. P. B. Jayasundera embroiled in a controversial sale of Lanka Marine Services Limited which resulted in the Supreme Court ordering him to pay Rs. 500,000 as compensation last week tendered his resignation to President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

Dr. Jayasundera had come under pressure from various quarters to resign from his post following the Supreme Court judgment on the sale of eight acres of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority land to John Keells (Pvt.) Ltd in 2002.

He paid compensation yesterday in keeping the court order.

The contents of Dr. Jayasundera’s letter were not known at the time this edition went to press. However, sources close to President Rajapaksa said his decision to resign was due to the court ruling and subsequent pressure.

The President’s Office did not say whether or not the President had accepted Dr. Jayasundera’s resignation. However, sources said, the President was left with no alternative.

Treasury sources said one of Dr. Jayasundera’s deputies would function as the action Treasury Chief pending the appointment of a new Secretary.

The fundamental rights violaiton appeal had been filed by Presidential Advisor Vasudeva Nanayakkara.