Moving towards a new Sri Lanka

Priscilla WELIKALA

Jobs for 17,000 graduates, - Taking public administration to the grass roots, the news item which appeared in the Daily News, shows the Government is moving in the right direction, giving prime importance to the Mahinda Chinthana, which upholds the worth and dignity of people at all times. This is confirmed by the statements the President makes form time to time, that he is the guardian of the people and that all officers serving the people are paid by the people. Many are such statements and the way he does it appeals very much to the people who are gradually getting much recognition.

Self-reliant

This recognition is very important and contributes very much to their own development which is necessary to move them out of dependency and make them more self-reliant and contributing citizens of the country.

Out of the 17,000 jobs created 14000 will work as Jana Seva Secretaries and this is in pursuance of the President's Mahinda Chinthana policy of taking the administration to the grass roots level. To appoint graduates to this position at village level indicates the recognition given to the people and now what is very important is for the Jana Seva Secretaries to get a job specific training to help them work with people. Working for people and working with people are two different things.

To do this the staff needs to get training. This training must equip them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to facilitate them to work with people. In the public administration we still observe the bureaucratic arrogance which prevailing among some bureaucrats.

Humanitarian attitude must be developed to look at people with dignity and understand that people have a right to get services and those who are appointed to do so are only performing a duty, and for this they are paid by the people.

This change in the attitude is very important to effect positive changes in people.

Development has been conceived for a long time as a simple process of economic growth. However in the present development strategy concern is not only in the sphere of economic growth but also in the improvement of the quality of life of people with emphasis not only in improving economic standards but in the total development of people which includes economic, political, social, spiritual and cultural aspects. Improvement of people or development of people does not occur until the people believe that improvement is possible.

People must be sufficiently convinced to take the initiative. They must be aware of the benefits forthcoming through the implementation of various development projects, if they are to really participate in these programs.

Dignity

This participation should include planning as well as implementation. If people are expected only for ceremonial participation when a project is opened and they become silent observers only, projects will not have positive effects in the lives of people.

Perhaps they may not be sustained over the years, and this is the reason why community projects have failed in the past. People may be uneducated or they may be living in appalling conditions lacking even the basic needs.

However, what is important to be kept in mind is each individual has his dignity and has his/her own potentials which need to be developed. Hence working with people needs understanding their strengths and weaknesses and their attitudes and how they view their problems. It is only then that one could help them actively participate in their own development.

Social work

What would be very important for the Jana Saba Secretaries is to get an orientation to social work practice at field level. This would be very appropriate at this point in time and as time goes on they could get training as professional social workers, at Diploma, Bachelors level, Masters Level or in time to come even at PhD level.

These courses are conducted at the National Institute of Social Development, a degree awarding Institute recognized by the University Grants Commission. This training would be appropriate at this point when attempts are taken in all directions to implement programs as given in the Mahinda Chinthanaya.

The social work profession has a close affinity to the Mahinda Chinthana. As professional social workers we are happy people are looked upon as resources to move towards a new Sri Lanka.

While wishing the new appointees the very best, we look upon them as agents at village level, who will activate the people to enhance their capacities and move in a direction that would make our Motherland not only the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, but to gain a unique and recognizable position in the whole world.