Ministry to restore civil administration in East

Stanley Seneviratne, Kurunegala North group correspondent

KURUNEGALA: The Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry has taken up the challenge of restoring civil administration in the Eastern Province which was liberated from the LTTE terrorists on the instructions of the President , said Minister Karu Jayasuriya.

The Minister was addressing the AGM of the Sri Lanka United Grama Niladhari Union held at the Kurunegala Town Hall.

Jayasuriya said that the history of the Grama Niladhari service goes back to the time of King Pandukabaya who appointed an official called Gam Badda in charge of village administration. Grama Niladharis have a major role to play in the rural administration and the development process.

He said, that the Grama Niladharies still protect the age-old traditions of their profession and never resort to protest campaigners to gain their demands. They render a dedicated service and sort out their problems through negotiations.

The filling of about 500 Grama Niladhari vacancies islandwide are held up due to the delay in releasing the results of the examination for recruitment. This hampered the smooth functioning of the public service. The Department of Examinations has promised to release the results soon.

Jayasuriya said the Grama Niladharis are the guardians of funds allocated this year for development projects in rural areas. They must ensure the disbursement of funds gainfully and purposefully to achieve the objects of the development plans.

The waste of public funds is a grave crime that should be prevented at all levels.

He said a million people are government servants which is a large percentage compared to the public service in other countries. This resulted in excess staff in many Government institutions.

Jayasuriya said the Government increased the allowances of Grama Niladharis by 50 per cent this year. They received enhanced facilities including a uniform allowance of Rs. 2500 and a mobile telephone as an initiative to raisc their standard of service.

The Ministry’s request for Treasury approval to issue motorcycles to Grama Niladharis to enhance their efficiency is still pending.

He requested the Grama Niladharis to be duty conscious at this crucial juncture despite difficulties such as office accommodation and transport facilities. The Ministry has instructed the Government Agents to provide adequate office accommodation to Grama Niladharis.

District Secretary Kurunegala Jayantha C.T. Bulumulle, President Public Service Trade Union Federation W.H. Ariyasena, Kurunegala Divisional Secretary W.M. Jayawardane, President Sri Lanka Eksath Grama Niladhari Union W.M.P.B. Wanninayake and several others spoke.