Anuradhapura Zonal Director of Education Maheshi Manjarika has been found guilty of 5 charges, including three financial charges.

Ms. Maheshi Manjarika Hettiarachchi, the Zonal Director of Education for Anuradhapura, has been officially found guilty by the North Central Province Chief Secretary J.M.R.G. Jayasinghe of all charges leveled against her, including three financial allegations, fabrication of documents, and an allegation of administrative weaknesses.

This decision was made after a formal disciplinary inquiry conducted in relation to the charge sheets issued and amended on December 31, 2013, and July 16, 2024, in accordance with the powers vested in the Chief Secretary by the Provincial Public Service Commission. Based on the oral and written evidence presented during the inquiry, as well as the recommendations of the inquiry officer, he communicated this disciplinary order to the Zonal Director of Education via letter number NCP/CS/ED/15/111/2/40(1).

The penalties imposed on her under the Establishments Code for these offenses are the deferment of one of her salary increments and an order to repay Rs. 15,000, obtained without participating in supervisory duties, to the government within fourteen days. However, a strong controversy has now arisen regarding the imposition of such a lenient punishment on an official found guilty of five such serious charges, which could warrant dismissal from public service and even a two-year prison sentence from a Magistrate's Court under the Penal Code for fabricating documents.

When questioned by the media about whether such a lenient punishment makes a mockery of the public service and why such a decision was made when some officials have been dismissed even for minor financial irregularities in the past, Chief Secretary Jayasinghe stated that this lenient punishment was not given under any influence. Furthermore, in response to the question of whether it is ethical to allow an official found guilty of such serious charges to continue to manage the administrative affairs of the Anuradhapura educational zone, which comprises 130 schools, 65,000 students, and 3,800 teachers, he stated that the decision on that matter should be made by the Secretary of the North Central Province Chief Ministry.

Meanwhile, Mr. Joseph Stalin, the General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers' Union, has lodged a special complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, pointing out that this disciplinary punishment given by the North Central Chief Secretary is completely contrary to the law. Through this complaint, he has requested the relevant commission to conduct a swift and formal investigation into this lenient disciplinary order.
(Dinamina)