Facelift for public service
by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI
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Dr. Sarath Amunugama
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A program is being implemented to give a facelift to the public
service, to ensure a more efficient service, said Public Administration
and Home Affairs Minister, Dr. Sarath Amunugama.
Vacancies in the public service have not been filled for a long time.
All vacancies including those of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service,
Management Service and Grama Niladari Service will be filled before the
end of this year, the Minister assured.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer Dr. Amunugama said
the Management Service, Grama Niladari and Administrative Service
vacancies numbering 3000, 1000 and 300 respectively remained unfilled
due to differences of opinion with the public service.
He said approval to fill all vacancies has now been given by the
Cabinet.
"Acting appointments" made to cover up long-standing vacancies is an
unsatisfactory arrangement, the Minister pointed out.
The Minister said that there is a big demand from educated unemployed
youth to join the public service. He said the proposed recruitment drive
is also a positive response to the Opposition's allegation that the
Government has failed to address the shortage of public servants.All
public servants including administrative officers should be transferred
out after they have completed the specified number of years in one
location.
Even the Management Service trade unions who met the Minister
recently affirmed their faith in such a scheme of transfers for the
officers in the interest of the public service.
"We have decided to enforce a rotation of service for public servants
in order to provide a quality service. Therefore, all public servants
will be given transfers every five years", he said.
One out of 17 of the country's population is a government servant and
Sri Lanka maintains a huge government service.
All necessary steps should be taken to set up an efficient public
service, considering the heavy financial outlay mad e for it in the
annual budget, Minister Amunugama said.
The Minister said his Ministry had prepared a calendar for
recruitments, transfers and placements in the public service.
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