Political appointments, the bane of the country - Minister Champika Ranawaka

Political appointments to State institutions had been the bane of this country. More than 150 State institutions which had been running at a loss have been privatised.

The State Timber Corporation has been saved from a similar plight by transforming it into a profitable institution now, said Environment and Natural Resources Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. The Minister said so at a ceremony held at the Corporation premises to mark the handing over of appointment letters to a batch of 200 employees of the Corporation who had been absorbed into the permanent cadre.

Ranawaka said the State Timber Corporation which had an excess staff of 900 employees had been able to bring it down to 60 by organising it on a commercial scale. The Corporation's lump sum payment to the treasury which was Rs. 370 million in 2004 had increased to Rs. 544 million in 2007.

It would increase Rs. 600 million in 2008.

Ranawaka said his Ministry's annual expenditure amounted to Rs. 7,500 million.

The Ministry hoped to save this money to the treasury by freeing itself from dependence on the Treasury soon. 'With this objective in mind the State Timber Corporation and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau have already increased their earnings. The State Timber Corporation provided a vital service towards national security.

Last year it had supplied 120,000 sleepers, 60,000 electrical posts and 27,000 posts for electric fences to ward off elephants.

It was able to supply sleepers for putting up Security Forces bunkers because it had increased production.

Most countries might face difficult times in future due to the world economic crisis. To face such a possibility we too should use our resources with care and thrift. To ensure this the environment conservation and natural resources use should be undertaken with proper management.

Ministry Secretary M.A.R.D. Jayatilleke and State Timber Corporation Chairman Chandana Haputhantri were also present.