The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, I table the answer.

¶ 02 (a) (i) Yes. (ii) Mr. H.S. Wanasinghe. (iii) Two preliminary investigations found that while serving in the National Accounts Division and later in the Cartography Division of the Department of Census and Statistics, he had committed irregularities. Based on the findings, by letter PSC/DIS/030/2014 dated 2014.04.24 of the Secretary to the Public Service Commission, Mr. H.S. Wanasinghe was interdicted. Subsequently, by letter PSC/DIS/030/2014 dated 2014.08.14, a charge sheet was served. Considering his appeal dated 2014.09.16, he was reinstated with effect from 2015.04.27 subject to conditions, without prejudice to the formal disciplinary inquiry. The PSC ordered payment of withheld remuneration for the interdiction period 2014.05.09 to 2015.04.27, and payments were made. After the inquiry, he was found guilty on three charges and not guilty on four; a punishment of withholding of increments was imposed and implemented. Mr. H.S. Wanasinghe retired from public service on 2016.05.10 under Pensions Minute 16/95. After his retirement, Mr. H.S. Wanasinghe was appointed Director of the Department of Census and Statistics with effect from 2015.10.29.

¶ 03 (b) Many indicators compiled and published by the Department are based on field-collected data and some on estimates derived from multiple sources. Using internationally accepted methodologies on the best available data, the Department prepares and releases indicators; therefore, data distortion is not applicable to the statistics/indicators/estimates compiled by the Department.

¶ 04 (c) Does not arise.