New Citizens Charter for Grama Niladharis

By Anushka Nanayakkara

The Government has introduced a new Citizens Charter to streamline the Grama Niladharis service to serve the people better, Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs Karu Jayasuriya told the Sunday Observer.

Grama Niladharis will be provided with benefits such as mobilephones and computers by the Government at concessionary rates to render a better service, said Minister Jayasuriya.He said the Government has planned to help Grama Niladharis familiar themselves with modern technology to carry out their duties in keeping with the deadlines in the Citizens Charter.

The Citizens Charter is being implemented in Sri Lanka for the first time on the duties of Grama Niladharis. The Citizens Charter will be displayed in all Grama Niladhari offices.

The Minister said that the Government has also taken steps to provide Grama Niladhari offices with furniture to accommodate the people.

People can complain about shortcomings of Grama Niladharis with regard to their duties to the District Secretaries (GSs) and Divisional Secretaries, the Minister said.

If the Grama Niladharis fail to perform their duties, they will be answerable to the Divisional Secretary and then to the relevant departments, the Minister said.