Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the aim of the government is to establish an independent and efficient public service that properly serves the people, and invited the newly appointed officers to come forward in developing the nation through a dedicated and efficient public service.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the ceremony to award appointments to 1,890 officers who were selected from the open competitive examination and subsequent interviews for recruitment to Grade III of the Management Service Officers Service.
The Prime Minister further stated:
“I wish to remind you that you are not joining a traditional public service. You are not entering the inefficient, politically-influenced public service that has prevailed for years, but rather an independent service that stands on behalf of the people.
You know that although this examination was scheduled to be held in November 2020, it was delayed for four years due to restrictions on open recruitment to the public service. Currently, there are about 5,000 vacancies in the Management Service Officers Service.
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This examination was conducted following the Cabinet decision to fill 2,223 vacancies in the Management Service Officers Service. Accordingly, today nearly 1,890 new officers are joining the public service.
Recruitment was based strictly on district quotas allocated according to the 2020 district population ratio of Sri Lanka and the candidates who scored the highest marks at the written examination were selected in proper order of merit and were interviewed by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government with complete transparency.
Cabinet approval has also been granted to recruit the remaining officers.
The government is committed to establishing an efficient and independent public service instead of a conventional practice. Especially through a digitized public service, our aim is to deliver services to the people swiftly and to ensure a more people-sensitive Management Service.
Today, public officers have been given the opportunity to act independently. None of our government representatives interfere in the public service. However, we have received reports of certain officials misusing this independence. It was because fraud, corruption, and injustice had spread alarmingly throughout the country that the people elected this government. Therefore, any form of malpractice, fraud, or corruption will no longer be tolerated any further. I remind you that if such incidents are reported, the government will take the maximum possible action.
As honest officials and citizens, you have the right to stand against such fraud, corruption, and irregularities. For the prosperous country and better life that the people expect, not only the government but you, as public officers, must also commit yourselves fully.
The Prime Minister further invited the newly appointed officers to join the task of developing the nation through a dedicated and efficient public service.
Addressing the event, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Chandana Abeyratne stated:
This recruitment has not taken place due to any political influence or personal connections. It is solely on the basis of your merit passing the competitive examination and facing the interview.
In the future, a limited number of officers will also be recruited through a limited competitive examination. After four years, you represent the largest intake of public service. When you retire, may you have the satisfaction that you helped elevate the public service to a higher standard.
We are striving for an independent and efficient public service and your contribution is highly appreciated.
You might have negative experiences from the public service. Ensure that such bitter experiences are not repeated through your service. Instead, work responsibly to deliver services to the public efficiently.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Ruwan Senarath, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputantri, Secretary to the Ministry Aloka Bandara, and Director General of Combined Services Nishan Mendis, together with the appointees.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
