Laws causing bottlenecks in state service will be amended

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The government will pay special attention to amending certain Acts which are not practicable and which have become a hindrance to the smooth functioning of state services, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

"It has been identified that certain Acts are not practicable. For instance two licenses have to be obtained for sand mining and transporting. Therefore, a proper mechanism has to be implemented for amending these Acts aiming at easing the public service for the betterment of people" the President added.

President Rajapaksa was addressing the Monaragala District Special Development Committee meeting at the Monaragala Library Auditorium yesterday.

District Secretary A Pathinadan presented the Monaragala district progress report to the President.

The President addressing the political authority and state officials said, the issues which can be sorted out at district level should not brought up to national level. Minor issues that can be addressed at the provincial or district level need not go to ministerial level he added.

"All planned development activities should continue as scheduled and those development activities should not be affected from time to time. Similarly, public funds should be utilized carefully for the betterment of the country to gain maximum returns and productivity," the President instructed.

The President instructed the relevant officials to complete construction as planned.

During the discussion the District Secretary pointed out that there is a scarcity of drinking water in the district. The President instructed officials of the Water Supply and Drainage Board to take measures to supply purified water.

President Rajapaksa was told that a herd of elephants from Udawalawa sanctuary has entered villages, He instructed the Wildlife Department to take measures to drive the elephants back to the Udawalawa sanctuary and to mend the electric fence to end the human-elephant conflict in the district.

The President refered to certain development activities which have not been completed properly.

"The political authority should look into these issues not allowing me to question on these incomplete development activities. It is the duty of politicians to utilise these allocations to the utmost benefit of the people" the President noted.

The President said public servants are duty bound to take prompt action to resolve issues in their respective fields. They must not allow things to drag on so that the subject will surface over and over again.

"Government officials are entrusted with the responsibility to assist the public in obtaining redress to their problems, while performing an exemplary role in the service of the state, "the President said.

President Rajapaksa instructed officials to take measures to solve the problems in the Monaragala district focusing their special attention on the burning problems, such as, the teacher shortage, drinking water, issues relating to farming, animal husbandry, health needs, irrigation, urban development, road construction, land disputes etc. He advised officials to maintain the quality of development activities especially where road construction activities are concerned since it was found that certain roads constructed were damaged within a short period.

The officials and politicians were instructed to closely monitor the development activities carried out in their areas while following approved quality standards.

Special attention was drawn to provide infrastructure facilities for the benefit of visitors to the Uva Province.

President Rajapaksa said it is the responsibility of politicians and state officials to make the best use of public funds for the numerous development activities.

The President further said they should also adopt a better environment policy.

"There is no doubt the environment should be protected while allowing people to carry out their day-to-day life," the President added.

"Environment programmes and policies should not hamper the normal daily routine of the people," he noted.