De Silva resignation not accepted

Yuille-Williams had received De Silva’s resignation letter since February 15, and said she had not given it any thought. Speaking to the media at Queen’s Hall, she said, “I went through all of Carnival enjoying Mr de Silva’s work, so that should tell you where I stand.” She described de Silva as an excellent chairman and said, “we will see what happens.”

Yuille-Williams has not spoken to de Silva about the resignation letter. “It will be addressed if I have to accept it. He is an excellent chairman we will see what happens.” She said de Silva has been chairman for more than five years.

Asked why he resigned, Yuille-Williams said, “at one time I thought it was illness, but I don’t know... probably he needed space.” She denied that “differences” led him to resign. “I respect him. He was an excellent chairman and he gave a lot.”

Yuille-Williams said she had given no thought to a replacement for de Silva. She said the demolition of the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah will begin after the offices of the National Carnival Commission (NCC) are relocated.

The minister said she hoped by month’s end, the NCC would be relocated in order for work to begin on the site for the $700 million Carnival City and Cultural Complex. Construction will be done by the Urban Development Corporation. Yuille-Williams said an announcement will soon be made on those “privileged” to be part of the cultural contingent going to Germany for the World Cup.