Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, MP, and Member of the Board of Governors of Trinity College, Kandy, has filed plaint in the District Court of Colombo claiming Rs 5 million as damages from Bishop Shantha Francis, Bishop of Kurunegala and Chairman of the Board of Governors, for loss of reputation for his allegedly illegal removal from the Board of Governors. 

Wijesinha claims that the Constitution of the Board states explicitly that the removal of a Board member requires two thirds majority.  The Board consists of 14 members and accordingly a minimum of 10 votes are required for a valid removal.  Only nine votes which included the vote of the Bishop of Kurunegala were cast for his removal.

Bishop Francis had allegedly claimed that he had legal opinion that he had the required majority and had confirmed Wijesinha’s removal. Wijesinha was the nominee of the Bishop of Colombo on the Board of Governors.  

Wijesinha alleges in his plaint that Bishop Francis had an ulterior motive and sought to oust him from the Board for the express purpose of continuing the services of the current Principal of the school who has no academic or teaching qualifications to act as the Principal.

Answer to Wijesinha’s plaint must be filed before the case goes to trial.

COURTESY:SUNDAY ISLAND