Key recommendations from a report on the alleged harassment of a female parliamentary employee have yet to be acted upon, more than four months after the document was officially submitted.
The investigation, conducted by retired High Court Judge Sujatha Alahapperuma, was handed over to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne on November 24 last year. It examined allegations of sexual harassment involving a female employee attached to parliament’s Department of Information Systems and Management.
The issue was first raised in January by MP Mujibur Rahman, who claimed the employee had been subjected to sexual harassment. An internal inquiry was initially carried out, but as the complainant was dissatisfied with its outcome, the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee decided on July 25 last year to conduct an external investigation.
Retired Judge Alahapperuma’s investigation found no evidence of sexual harassment based on the facts collected. However, the report noted that the employee had experienced verbal harassment.
The report further highlighted that during interviews for the positions of Database Administrator and Parliamentary Officer, the interview boards had placed the complainant at a disadvantage. Subsequently, she was transferred from the Information Systems and Management Department to another department, which the investigation concluded was unsuitable for her qualifications. Although senior officials claimed the transfer was temporary, the report noted that the transfer letter suggested otherwise, indicating it had been made without valid justification.
Additionally, the report found that the employee’s salary increments had been withheld or delayed without acceptable reason. It also identified weaknesses and delays in parliamentary systems and governance, which have hindered administrative and disciplinary actions concerning officers.
Among the key recommendations, the report called for immediate administrative action to grant the complainant’s salary increments for 2024 and 2025. It also advised a formal review of the duties of all officers in the Information Systems and Management Department, close supervision of tasks, assignment of sufficient staff to support the Senior Coordinator, and the establishment of proper administrative mechanisms. Once these measures are implemented, the report recommended transferring the complainant back to her original department, ensuring a positive work environment through discussions with the Head of Section, and creating a supervision program under a senior officer to maintain discipline.
Other recommendations included creating effective mechanisms for guidance and grievance management for parliamentary officers, strengthening internal controls, and improving administrative coordination between departments.
Despite the report being submitted over four months ago, the recommendations have yet to be implemented, the Sunday Times learns.
When contacted, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said the report found no evidence of sexual harassment but acknowledged that some recommendations remain pending. “These are administrative matters. We are looking into them and intend to resolve them soon,” she said.
