(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the state ministers of the government to use technology to stop corruption and directly intervene to increase the efficiency of government institutions.
President Rajapaksa has called for an end to the accusation that “Government agencies that provide public services are unable to fulfill the role expected by the people.”
The President expressed these views at a monthly review meeting with state ministers held at the President’s House in Colombo Yesterday (21).
The President noted that despite the Covid epidemic, the “Vision of Prosperity” policy statement has fulfilled many of its promises.
People point out that the cause of concern among the people is the inefficiency, corruption and obsolescence of certain state institutions. The President pointed out that the problem could be solved through the direct intervention of state ministers and the use of technology for an efficient public service.
There have also been reports of the heads of some institutions not performing their roles properly. President Rajapaksa asked state ministers to submit a report on such institutions that have not met the government’s targets and said if needed he was ready to appoint other officials to those institutions.
The President also emphasized the need to monitor and expedite the progress of projects implemented through foreign loans and local budget allocations.
“Our strength is with the people, their needs must be met urgently. Listen to the problems and work without distancing from the people,” the President told state ministers.
Government policy is job creation. Therefore, the President pointed out the possibility of creating employment opportunities for small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the village.
Basil Rajapaksa, Head of the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival, pointed out that it is natural for prices to rise during the festive season and due to the importation of essential commodities, farmers are not able to sell their produce. However, the government for the first time has been able to keep prices of essential commodities at a low level and purchase agricultural produce during the New Year season, he noted.
State Ministers, Secretary to the President PB Jayasundera, Chief Adviser to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance SR Attygalle, Secretary of Public Administration J.J. Ratnasiri were also present at the occasion.
