Public servants should give off their best - Minister

Shirley Wijesinghe

The words ‘No’ and ‘Can’t’ should not be in the vocabulary of public servants. They should render their service through a friendly approach to uplift the present public service, Public Management Reforms Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayaka said.

It is a difficult task. That is why he has decided to meet trade unions representatives first, he added.

He was speaking at a discussion he had with the representatives of trade unions yesterday.

Minister Wickramanayaka said that they should have only one aim and that is to develop country, he added.

Certain people say that the private sector of the country is at a higher level than the public sector. But he said that he cannot agree with that statement . Most of the private sector organizations are ready to recruit Government servants for high posts after their retirement.

He stressed that a scheme of recruitment is a must for any statutary organization.

It has been observed that some public officers work only for three hours, he added.

Today, the attitude of trade union leaders have changed. They are very keen about their responsibilities and rights as well.