• Says combating corruption alone will not improve services
• Calls for a work environment where State officials can perform well

The main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), stressed that while eradicating corruption is necessary, that alone will not ensure development in the country and proper administration in the public sector. It added that the Government should take more measures to improve efficiency in the public sector.

SJB Parliamentarian Ajith P. Perera made these remarks during a press briefing held yesterday (13), where he opined that the government appears to be enthusiastic about eradicating corruption.

“Suitable and skilled officials with administrative skills should be appointed to state institutions. State corporations, departments, boards, district secretariats and divisional secretariats should have a skilled team to operate the public service. There should also be an appropriate environment for them to work,” he said, adding that it is difficult to get public officials to work with threats and oppression.

Discussing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s interventions concerning district-level public services, Perera added that a suitable environment has not been created for the public service to operate in a proper manner. He alleged that the public service does not have officials capable of providing the required guidance and taking responsibility regarding the same.

Perera opined that the failure to address these issues would take the country back as far as the expected progress is concerned.