Ministry to re-designate District Secretaries

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry has taken measures to re-designat District Secretaries as Government Agents. Accordingly, District Secretaries are to be designated as Government Agents with more powers by amending the law in this regard, said ministry sources.

Cabinet approval has been given to amend the act. Divisional Secretaries will also be designated as Assistant Government Agents, the sources said. "The District Secretaries do not have enough power to supervise the duties of Divisional Secretaries. Sometimes, Divisional Secretaries disagree and challenge the orders issued by the District Secretaries", a Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

When District Secretaries receive more power, they can control the Divisional Secretaries and supervise their work.

The government has taken a decision to re-demarcate the geographical boundaries of the Divisional Secretariats and a committee has been appointed to work in this regard.