President urged to remove his top economic advisor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been urged to remove his economic affairs advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa from the position.

The United Labour Conference and several other organizations wrote a joint letter to the president noting serious conflicts of interest relating to Hulangamuwa.

One of them is that he is the managing partner of Ernst and Young audit firm that was found guilty of undervaluing Sri Lanka Insurance in its privatisation.

The letter also notes speculation that Hulangamuwa is to succeed Mahinda Siriwardena as the treasury secretary.

In the event that happens, the private sector will be given the advantage over the public with no more state supervision of the sector.

The Chamber of Commerce headed by him represents the private sector entities that have been involved in tax fraud over the years, it alleged further.

Other signatories to the letter include National Land and Agricultural Reforms Movement, Society for Estate Development, Sramabhimana Centre, Estate Workers’ Voice and the collective of families of missing persons.