Top officials of the National Institute of Plantation Management (NIPM) have raised serious concerns over political pressure for them to withdraw a Court of Appeal case filed against a former employee accused of multiple breaches of discipline. Instructions issued by Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Rural Infrastructure, Aruni S. Ranasinghe, to this effect, in a letter, have caused alarm within the institute’s governing board. Ministry sources allege that the move was made under pressure from senior political figures and with the backing of the Ministry Secretary.

The employee in question was previously dismissed by the NIPM’s governing authority over several misconduct charges. He later won a case at the Kaduwela Labour Tribunal, challenging his termination. However, the institute filed an appeal against that ruling (Case No. 30-1854-2021), which remains pending before the Court of Appeal.

Now, the Ministry is exerting fresh pressure on the NIPM to withdraw the appeal and reinstate the employee, despite the unresolved legal process, according to sources.

The situation escalated during a board meeting on June 4, reportedly chaired by Minister of Plantation Industries and Rural Infrastructure, Samantha Vidyaratna. According to insiders, the Minister verbally urged board members to drop the case and re-employ the individual concerned.

Senior officials have described the intervention as a severe blow to institutional autonomy and governance. They warn that the move threatens to destabilize the NIPM, which they credit with making significant progress after years of stagnation.

Attempts by The Island to contact Minister Vidyaratna for comment were unsuccessful.

When reached by The Island, Additional Secretary Ranasinghe confirmed that the letter had been issued based on instructions from the Secretary to the Ministry.

By Sirimantha Ratnasekera