Managing political interference during my stint as ETF Chairman

The last episode continued with more experiences from my stint at the ETF Board, from which I learned many lessons. Today, I continue with stories highlighting how I managed political interference and tackled other vital issues.

- BY SUNIL G WIJESINHA

Tackling politicians

The most challenging issue was when a vacancy occurred for the post of General Manager at ETF. Although, according to the ETF Act, I, as the Chairman, was the CEO, I needed a second in command. Even before we advertised the post, the Minister gave me the CV of a confidant of his, obviously expecting me to tailor the job specification based on his CV. I obviously didn't do so and asked the very experienced Board of Directors how to handle the issue. If he had become the GM, I would have lost control of the entire institution. The Board decided not to change the recruitment scheme and to appoint a top-level interview panel that would make the right decisions without fear. We received a high volume of applications, and the interview panel determined that the Minister's candidate lacked sufficient senior management experience for the post, as noted in the interview sheet. Another candidate was selected.

The next day, I met the Minister. I told him, "Sir, something unexpected happened. The interview panel found his senior management experience insufficient and rejected him". The Minister was not impressed. With a sour face, he just said, "Is that so?" (ehemada?). I left his office. This short conversation was, of course, in Sinhala.

Recruitment of an HR head