Building the Nation:

Public servants dedication crucial

Public servants have an enormous task to fulfil in this development decade and they should assist the Government to implement its objectives to make Sri Lanka a wonder nation of Asia, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.

The Minister also said:

"We are able to speak of a tomorrow and hold hopes of a future because President Mahinda Rajapaksa removed all barriers that obstructed our future development.

"If we dedicate ourselves with good intentions it will be possible for us to march forward and achieve the goals of becoming the wonder nation of Asia along with the emerging economic giants of Asia such as China and India at a time many countries in the west are facing bankruptcy, and all indications point out that Asian region is the emerging economic power in the future.

He made these comments when he addressed the staff of the Ministry of Mass Media at a function held in the Ministry in connection with starting work at the auspicious time for the new year.

"In the past the Government, on the advice of institutions such as the World Bank, IMF, ADB, the Government service was considered a burden to the nation and hence steps were taken to prune the public service and to send Government servants and State employees on compulsory retirement and curb recruitment to the public service.

"Contrary to this notion the President and the Government has kept full confidence in the Government servants and several measures were taken to strengthen the public service with various concessions.

"The public servants have an enormous task to fulfill in this development decade and they should assist the Government to implement its objective to make Sri Lanka a wonder nation of Asia."

Ministry Secretary W B Ganegala said the Government has laid the foundation to achieve the objective of making the country the wonder nation of Asia with a GDP growth of 8 percent and bringing down the inflation considerably.

He said in addition to this the World Bank and other financial institutions have complimented the Government on its achievements and this is a complimentary indication for the country.

He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his New Year message has emphasized on the importance of serving others with compassion and it is the duty and responsibility of everyone to exercise their duties without any discrimination and with the intention of strengthening the national unity.