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2024-02-22

News Categories : Committee News 

The democratic rights of the people can be protected only with an accountable and open public service - Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena

  • Develop an institutional-level programme to create an efficient, friendly and accountable public service – Chair of SOC on An Open and Accountable Government urges top government officials

 

Addressing an awareness program for public sector officials organized by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open and Accountable Government, under the theme of efficient, friendly, open and responsible public service, Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that the democratic rights of the people can be protected only by providing accountable and open public service.

The speaker pointed out that in many cases, the relevant officials fail to properly implement the decisions reached after deliberations with the officials in the committees including the Public Petitions Committee of the Parliament. Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena further emphasized that avoiding committee recommendations is a violation of the privileges of the Parliament.

This workshop was organized recently (Feb. 19) at the Parliamentary Complex by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open and Accountable Government, under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament Hon. Jagath Kumara Sumitraarachchi.

The committee Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on An Open and Accountable Government, made a request to the heads of government institutions who attended the workshop to prepare a workplan   at the institutional level to create an efficient, friendly and accountable public service. He also said that the people should be made to feel that justice will be done. He further said that the law should not be limited to the book and should be implemented properly. He also pointed out that in order to create an efficient, friendly and accountable public service, all government institutions should work with dedication.

While delivering the opening remarks of the workshop, Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera pointed out that this workshop will be of great help to all the heads of government institutions to find solutions to the current economic crisis in the country, reduce public expenditure and provide friendly, efficient services.

Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, Hon. (Dr.) Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunga, Director General of Establishment Division of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Mr. Chandana Kumarasinghe, Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman) and former judge of the High court Mr. K.B.K. Hiriburegama,  Senior Prof. Pratibha Mahanamaheva and Former Director General of Department of Pensions Mr. K.A Tillakaratne joined the workshop as resource persons. Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Chaminda Kularatne, a group of senior officials representing ministries, corporations, boards, departments, and police participated in this workshop.



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