President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted the critical need to transform Sri Lanka’s public service into an efficient and trusted state mechanism during the District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries conference held yesterday (20) at the Home Affairs Ministry Auditorium in Narahenpita.
Speaking to attendees, the President acknowledged the nearly 200-year history of the public service but expressed concern over its current inefficiency and lack of public trust. He emphasized that the public service has deviated from its intended objectives and must undergo significant reforms to restore its effectiveness. He pointed out that both political authorities and public officials must introspect and determine their readiness to rebuild the system.
The President stressed the importance of leadership within the public sector and stated that the focus should be on the capabilities of those holding key positions. He highlighted the lack of dynamic leadership in certain areas and announced plans to provide training for 1,500 officials in India as part of a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding. He also revealed plans to offer scholarships for higher education abroad to Advanced Level students next year.
President Dissanayake reaffirmed his commitment to impartial decision-making by the newly formed committee tasked with reviewing state institutions. He assured that the committee would operate free from political influence and would focus on restructuring state institutions to improve efficiency rather than reducing their size.
He outlined plans to expedite the Digital Identity Card initiative and launch the “Clean Sri Lanka” project starting January 1, 2025. These initiatives aim to modernize public services, promote sustainability, and elevate the country’s overall development. The President also emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing high public sector expenditure by implementing structural and efficiency-focused reforms.
The President pledged his full support to public officials who face challenges while working toward these goals. However, he warned that any deliberate efforts to obstruct or neglect these tasks would result in firm action. He noted that collaboration between political authorities and public servants is essential to achieve the country’s development objectives.
President Dissanayake reiterated the importance of eradicating poverty, driving digital transformation, and reshaping societal attitudes to create a more efficient and effective public service. He assured attendees that these reforms would have his full political backing, aiming to create a public sector capable of meeting the nation’s evolving needs.
The conference was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Public Administration Minister Dr. Chandana Abeyrathne, and other senior officials, along with District and Divisional Secretaries.
