Research officers to assist MPs

The Government will provide the services of Research Officers to all MPs on the recommendations of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prof. Wiswa Warnapala. This new move initiated by the Minister aims at enhancing their knowledge in various development projects envisaged in their respective areas and districts. The Research Officers are expected to undertake research work related to natural resources in their respective areas and districts which could be utilised for the development of those areas. Manpower resources will also be looked into.

The Parliamentary Affairs Ministry has noted that most of the Parliamentarians do not have the required time and specialised knowledge to undertake research work of this nature. The Ministry hopes that this void be filled by utilising the services of Research Officers, who will be recruited through unemployed Graduates.

It is the considered view of Prof. Wiswa Warnapala that by utilising these new techniques even the MPs' debating skills can be enhanced in time to come and an Enlightened Parliament can be mould step by step.

When these Research Officers submit their reports on various matters based on their analytical skills, the MPs will get an opportunity to study these proposals at length and coordinate this work with the Planning Ministry and its agencies for the benefit of the country as a whole.

These Graduates will be recruited from the Management Services Department Graduates who have mastered Sinhalese and Tamil Languages, Social Science, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science and Philosophy will be preferred.