Rural sector key to public service excellence

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne on Friday highlighted that the rural population is the backbone of our country and more development projects should be diverted towards the benefit of 77 percent of them in order to strengthen the public service to the maximum.

The Minister made these remarks at the Commonwealth Symposium held in Colombo on `Strengthening public service excellence'. Head of Commonwealth Secretariat, Dr. John Nwasike and Executive Director and CEO, Commonwealth Association David Waung were also present.

Minister Seneviratne said authorities should first visit the rural sector and identify their needs and thereafter commence necessary development projects.

"The Government has already commenced a number of development projects in the rural sector such as highways, large-scale agricultural and industrial projects with the objective of developing the areas and also provide employment facilities to unemployed youth".

He said the Government has also planned to seek the assistance of Grama Niladaris and Divisional Secretaries Agents to carry out development activities in their respective divisions, so that the public service could be developed to the maximum.He said countries such as Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and Korea have also given priority to develop the rural sector as it is the only solution to strengthen the public service excellence.