by Chitra Weerarathne

Mrs. R. Wijialudchumi the chief secretary of the Northern Provincial Council, has filed a fundamental rights violation application in the Supreme Court complaining that the Chief Minister of the Province C.V. Wigneswaran, from the day he became the Chief Minister had been attempting to interfere with her employment.

The Chief Secretary has submitted that aforesaid attempt to remove her from office, without a valid reason, is wrongful, arbitrary, illegal and malicious. The appointment of the chief secretary came under the purview of the President. The powers vested in her are by legislative, executive and constitutional processes. But she is not given powers to transfer, employ appoint, or remove employees of the provincial council. There is an apparent infringement of fundamental rights.

She has been subjected to arbitrary, discriminatory treatment and her right to engage in her lawful occupation is being denied. She wanted the court to declare the same, the petitioner has complained.

Among the respondents are Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Governor of the Northern Province G.A. Chandrasiri, Chairman of the Public Services Commission Dr. Dayasiri Fernando, the Secretary to the Minister of Public Administration and the Attorney General.

Courtesy: www.island.