Providing expeditious services:

DSs go hi-tech

More than eighty percent of the government services which are essential for the day to day life of the masses are executed by Divisional Secretariats. So, the Divisional Secretariats (DS) should be equipped with modern technology to meet the growing demand and to expedite their services said Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W D J Seneviratne.

The Minister made these comments at the inaugural ceremony to launch e-Divisional Secretariats program held at the Colombo Divisional Secretariat.

Under this ICTA designed program more than 60 services, income certification, Samurdhi certification, house hold confirmation letters etc would be issued within a few minutes. "Delaying is one major allegation that the people aim at the public services. They grumble over the simple matters which take more than a month or two to get done. Inefficiency is another widely known short coming. We have to overcome these problems without making excuses. Information Technology is one major strength for ushering the new era in public services with the new changes now we could issue all the important certificates instantly," the Minister said. The Minister further stressed that all the Divisional Secretariats will be equipped with Information Technology to provide expeditious services to the public. The grievances of the masses should be minimized in every step that we implemented. Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga said by introducing Information Technology to the Ministries and the Government departments not only are services being expedited but in the process bribery and corruption will also be eradicated.

He said although machines can do the best, the human being behind the machines should also be with a clear mind to achieve the goals. The new Websites of the District Secretary and the Divisional Secretary of Colombo also were relaunched at the ceremony.

Colombo District Secretary G K Sylvester, Colombo District MP Thilanga Sumathipala, ICTA Operations manager Rishan Devapura and Divisional Secretary K D Dharmathilaka also spoke.