Enhancing efficiency of the public service - a prime challenge

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry has a very big responsibility to ensure an excellent public service for the nation and to support the massive development drive in the country, as the Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister, W. D. J. Senaviratne is obliged to carry out this task successfully. The Daily News got an opportunity to talk to him about the policies and strategies the Ministry has adopted for the betterment of the country

Q: What challenges have to face in the Public Administration and Home Affairs field?

A: Public Administration Ministry is the most responsible ministry to ensure an excellent public service. We have received a large number of complaints from the general public about the shortcomings of the public service.

My challenge is to enhance the efficiency of the public service to provide a better service to the general public and find permanent solutions to problems, such as, bribery and corruption. There is a large number of public servants who are dedicated to public service. But unfortunately some are not dedicated to their jobs. Because of that people have a bad image about the whole public service.

Q: What action has the Ministry taken to enhance the efficiency of the public service?

A: The Ministry has taken measures to establish three observation units, apart from the prevailing investigation unit of the ministry, to find out shortcomings of islandwide Divisional Secretariats, District Secretariats and Grama Niladari divisions. We will also take measures to transfer all public servants from their work places after every six years and transfer them from one district to another after 12 years.

Q: Currently, most of the people are talking about the pension scheme for the private sector. Some people are for it and some people are not. What are your ideas about it?

A: Public servants are the most privileged among the labour force in Sri Lanka. But there are a large number of private sector employees in the country.

The proposed pension scheme for private sector employees is an important decision by the government as pensions have been a dream and a demand of private sector employees for a long time.

Q: As a senior minister what are your ideas about the prevailing political situation in the country?

A: Present government is the strongest government in Sri Lankan history.

Now the time has come for all Sri Lankans to live peacefully as one nation after defeating terrorism. All nations have a responsibility to protect this country.

It is clear that most of the people in the country have a clear vision about the SLFP as all elections were won by them. This kind of situation is necessary to develop a country physically and spiritually.

Day to day problems of people, such as monetary problems, can be solved through economic development and an increase in production. Present government has given an opportunity to all Sri Lankans who live in every nook and corner of the country to give their fullest support for the betterment of the country through the Divi Neguma programme.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has introduced a number of fruitful programmes for Sri Lankans to develop the country.

Because of that he has become an attractive leader in the world.

In this circumstance the Opposition is demented. UNP still cannot even find a leader.

Q: What kind of support does your ministry provide to the Divi Neguma programme?

A: The Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry has a very big responsibility to conduct this programme and carry out investigations through District Secretariats, Divisional Secretariats and Grama Niladari divisions. The Ministry will provide assistance for them and encourage them to do their work successfully.

Q: You represent the Ratnapura district. So are you satisfied with the public service to the district?

A: Yes, I am satisfied with the efficiency of the public service in the Ratnapura district. But big environmental problems have erupted in Ratnapura district due to illegal gem mining using machinery. I’ll take every step to tackle this situation.