President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has underscored the critical challenge of transforming Sri Lanka’s public service into a more efficient state mechanism. Speaking at the District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries conference on December 20, 2024, the President emphasized the importance of the newly appointed committee tasked with reviewing state institutions, ensuring that decisions are made impartially, free from political pressures.
Addressing the conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs Auditorium, President Dissanayake highlighted the historical significance of the public service, which has evolved over nearly 200 years, with the role of Government Agents changing to District Secretaries. However, he expressed concern over the current state of public service, stating that public trust in state institutions has eroded, and the system has become ineffective.
The President raised questions about the readiness of political authorities and public servants to restore the broken system. He clarified that his focus is not on the positions within the public service, but on the leadership that occupies these roles. As part of his efforts to address gaps in leadership, the President announced plans to train 1,500 officials in India and offer scholarships for higher education abroad to top students.
President Dissanayake also reaffirmed his commitment to reforming state institutions, which will be reviewed by the newly established committee. While he acknowledged concerns about the cost of maintaining a large public service, he emphasized the need for structural reforms to improve efficiency without downsizing.
In addition to public service reforms, the President outlined plans to accelerate community-based projects and initiatives such as the Digital Identity Card and the “Clean Sri Lanka” project, which will launch on January 1, 2025. He stressed that the success of these projects relies on the active participation of public officials and the harmony between political authorities and government employees.
The President also introduced plans for projects focused on eradicating poverty, digital transformation, and reshaping societal attitudes. He emphasized his commitment to defending any official facing injustice or unfair treatment but warned that efforts to obstruct these initiatives would not be tolerated.
The conference was attended by several key officials, including Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Public Administration Dr. A.H.M.H. Abeyrathne, and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, among others.
–PMD
