GNs recruited purely on merit basis - Minister Karu Jayasuriya

The new batch of 2,600 Grama Niladharis were recruited purely on merit in a fully transparent manner, emphasised Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Karu Jayasuriya yesterday.

Addressing the new recruits at a training programme which began at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium Jayasuriya vehemently denied as false recent news reports that the new Grama Niladharis were appointed on political grounds.

“I am prepared to even forego my portfolio if it was proved that politics or any other outside influence had a say in the recent recruitment,” Jayasuriya said.

Elucidating his point, Jayasuriya said the new batch of 2,600 Grama Niladharis were recruited at an interview for which candidates who obtained the highest marks at a competitive examination conducted by the Examinations Department last year were summoned. He could vouch that final selection were made after a proper assessment of the candidates in a fully transparent manner.

Jayasuriya said among them were four candidates who had received 186 to 187 marks who belonged to all three communities.

Jayasuriya said he had been able to revive and streamline the public service which had been dormant in the past and inject a new sense of team spirit into it. Many State departments and offices had earned international acclaim today.

The Citizens Charter had increased the powers of the public in the face of the public service. Home Affairs Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera said it was for the first time since 1996 that Grama Niladharis had been recruited from a competitive examination. If anyone alleged that politics played a part in the recruitment it was an insult to the new recruits. Among the new recruits were 450 persons from Jaffna. Ministry Secretary D. Dissanayake also spoke.