Minister calls for public service revival

Dulshani GUNAWARDENA

Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama called for a revival of the public service as well as a rapid expansion of the private sector, to meet with the socio economic revolution challenging the country today. "The wealth that can be created in this country should be created as soon as possible. I don't care whether the cat is black or white; I just want it to catch mice."

The Minister said so addressing a seminar on The Public Servant and Politician: Harmony and Conflict at the Postgraduate Institute of Management on November 3.

Amunugama stressed that the relationship between the two coalitions rested on the prevalent social and economic environment of the time. Noting that both the systems of command economy and market economy have failed, as illustrated respectively by the collapse of the Chinese centrally planned command economy and the recession faced by developed countries today, Amunugama called for a smooth interaction of the public and private sectors to build up a practical mixed economy.

Amunugama questioned whether the public service has been successful adapting to the massive political, social and economic revolution the country faces today, with twenty three percent of the population, yet below the poverty line.

Emphasizing the need of intellectual stimulation to create a highly competitive, adventurous service in par with the private sector, the Minister called for the public service to shake up from their stupor and change the whole system.

Former Presidential Secretary, K.H.J. Wijayadasa said there was absolutely no conflict between the politician and public service thanks to severe blows rendered by the politician to minimize the public service as much as possible. The politician has usurped many of the powers and functions held by the public service, to which they meekly surrendered in the name of survival. Hence, he questioned, how could there be any conflict whatsoever?

"Their forte, we are told is policy formulation and implementation. How good or bad they are in this sphere of activity can be judged from a couple of recent Supreme Court judgments and rulings. It was not so long ago that the Supreme Court had to sit down to the unenviable task of formulating the school admissions circular, determining the selling prices of gas and fuel, regulating the conducting of public examinations."

He said though Sri Lanka was a middle income level country, its extravagance in public spending put high income countries to shame, with much revenue spent on training and study tours, though with little benefit.

He called upon all members of the public service to join hands in finding an effective and sustainable solution to the controversial issue.

Former Presidential Secretary Bradman Weerakoon said that though the Public Service should adapt to the changing demands of the socio economic structure, they were in no position to do so. Maintaining that it was a struggle between a disempowered public servant an highly over powered politician, he stated that if the public service could be made void of political influence, they could be as competitive and creative as the Minister called for. Yet, he added, they needed power to carry out their functions.

Nanda Godage and Chandra Wickramasinghe also addressed the meeting, stressing on the need for a more efficient public service.