Tele-conference facilities for district, divisional heads

Shirley Wijesinghe

COLOMBO: Discussions are on to provide tele-conference facilities to all District and Divisional heads as a time saving measure obviating unnecessary travel, Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Karu Jayasuriya said.

Appreciating the service of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) officers who gathered for their 26th Annual General Meeting at Waters Edge, Jayasuriya appealed to them to acclimatise themselves with new concepts to tackle existing problems.

"The colonial administration under European leaders is no more. Public servants are in control today. Now the country and its people are administrated by our own people. It is a real asset to the nation," Minister added.

Terrorism, the oil crisis and food supply are the main challenges facing the country today, he said. "However these challenges should be overcome," he stressed.

The country's development went backwards due to three insurgencies. The country has to be rid of the LTTE, the Minister said.

Jayasuriya appealed for the fullest support of the SLAS to improve the quality of the country 's administration that was once our pride.

Delivering a special lecture under the theme 'What are the responsibilities bound with Executive Officers of the Government Service' Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga called on SLAS Officers to adopt a more humane approach rather than adhering to administrative rules and guidelines for delivering an efficient service to the people.

Weeratunga said professionalism is the key to overcome the present crisis. "Please avoid being adamant and try to act with flexibility," he stressed .

He said all leaders today have to face decisive challenges thrown up by the world. "We have to meet them by adopting innovative concepts which would also enable the leaders to view these challenges in a balanced way."