The circular in question - PS/PCMD/19/2018 - was issued by the Secretary to the President Udaya R. Seneviratne on December 31, 2018.Meanwhile the President had recently appointed a committee to consider qualifications and make recommendations for the appointment of Chairman and Boars of Directors of State Owned Enterprises.

The said committee is chaired by the President’s Secretary and also includes senior presidential advisor W. J. S. Karunaratne, two representatives appointed by the Prime Minister and a representative of the Secretary to the Finance Ministry.