Ferial Ashraff dismayed over appointment of Sinhala Education Secretary

[TamilNet, Sunday, 20 April 2008, 01:10 GMT]
Ms Ferial Ashraff, a minister in the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government led by Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse, is alleged to have expressed dissatisfaction over the appointment of a Sinhalese officer as the Secretary to the East Provincial Education Ministry at a time when the east provincial council election is to take place, political sources in Colombo said.

Informed sources in Colombo said she immediately telephoned the Governor of the Eastern Province and expressed her concerns.

Upul Weerawardene has been appointed acting Secretary of East Provincial Education Ministry.

R.Thiagalaingam who held the Education Ministry Secretary post has been appointed as the Secretary of the East Provincial Council Assembly with effect from April 15.

EPC Assembly is to begin functioning soon after members to the EPC are elected in May 10 poll, sources said.

Ms Ferial Ashraff is the leader of the National Unity Alliance (NUA), one of the constituent parties of the ruling UPFA. She entered politics following the death of her husband M.H.M.Ashraff in an air crash. Late Ashraff was the founder president of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and NUA.