by Our Correspondent in Colombo
A senior official serving in the President’s Secretary’s office in Sri Lanka has reportedly been asked to step down, amid conflicting accounts from multiple unnamed government sources regarding how the decision was made.
Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, a senior administrative officer, is at the center of the reports, with some sources claiming he was instructed to tender his resignation, while others say he had already expressed willingness to step aside due to personal reasons. No official statement has been issued confirming either version.
Unnamed officials familiar with internal discussions said the situation remains unsettled, with one source stating that “a request was made for him to resign,” while another indicated there were signs he “may have expressed his intention to resign due to personal matters.” The contradictory accounts have contributed to uncertainty within administrative circles, particularly in the absence of official clarification from the presidency.
Dr. Kumanayake entered government service in 1997 as an Assistant Superintendent of Sri Lanka Customs. He studied at Rahula College in Matara and later obtained a first-class BSc from the University of Kelaniya. He subsequently pursued advanced studies in Japan under World Customs Organization and government scholarships, earning postgraduate qualifications and a PhD in Development Economics from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo.
He has worked extensively on customs governance and integrity systems and has contributed to international programmes under the World Customs Organization focused on anti-corruption and modernization of customs administration.
According to sources, discussions are underway regarding a possible reassignment of the official to a senior diplomatic post, while an internal candidate from within the same administrative structure is expected to be appointed as his successor. Another senior official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said continuity arrangements are being prepared within the office.
