'SL has most powerful workforce in S. Asia'

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Sri Lanka has the most powerful workforce among South Asian countries taking in to account the population , said Construction Engineering Services Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

Participating in the Inter Productive Core Competition awards ceremony recently at the ministry, Minister Weerawansa said most of the countries have canceled their welfare activities and principles. So the government services in those countries are reducing day by day. But the situation in Sri Lanka is completely different.

"Under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the government has taken measures to increase Sri Lanka's state service up to 1.3 million 800,000.

The government is to absorb 40,000 graduates to the State service." said the minister.

He also said it is important to enhance the quality of the State service. The Construction Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry has started various programmes to enhance the quality and productivity of their service.

"Productivity is a valuable but not a new concept to Sri Lankans. Our forefathers used to get maximum use of natural resources. They were aware about the importance of productivity. As a result of the urbanization, people's lifestyles have changed and we had to import this concept from other countries." he said.

The minister further said productivity is new to the government service. But our ministry has succeeded getting good results through productivity.