Work towards eliminating corruption, President to new Secretaries

Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa affirmed he would always standby and support the right decisions taken by the Ministry Secretaries, provided they implement the Government policy and serve the people's needs as envisioned in the Mahinda Chintanaya.

At a meeting where President Rajapaksa handed over appointment letters to the new Secretaries of Cabinet Ministers at Temple Trees yesterday, he said: "All of us are paid by the people who you should serve with the utmost responsibility and efficiency.

You must strive to carry forward and implement the Mahinda Chintanaya to the best of your abilities.

You do have the right to make your own decisions, provided it is the right decision taken in the interest of the people. Do not be entwined excessively in a framework of FRs and ARs, just because they are designed to serve the people better.

You should always endeavour to eradicate corruption and fraud as finally, it is you who will be held responsible to the People, Parliament and the Auditor General".

The President said the new Secretaries appointed on the basis of their capabilities in administration, should always endeavour to correct and guide politicians like him, who may not take the correct decisions at all times. "Correct us, and rectify our mistakes.

We are prepared to listen and adhere to your advise", he said.

President Rajapaksa said from his past experience since the 70s, he knew of Ministry Secretaries who even failed to recognise their own staff members and maintain a good rapport with them. He underscored the importance of visiting all the institutions under their purview, to identify the shortcomings and address them accordingly.

The President was of the view that Non-Cabinet Ministers would not need Secretaries of their own, but suggested that Additional Secretaries could be appointed to serve those ministries as well. President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga said they have been appointed primarily on merit and seniority was a secondary criteria for the selection.

"In addition to your administrative tasks, you have been entrusted as a team, the onus of implementing and taking forward the President's vision, the 'Mahinda Chintanaya' and the '10 year Plan' of the Government," he said.