Public Sector Development Strategy Forum aligning with ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’

• National Policy Framework conducted by CSBM in partnership with Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance

A Public Sector Development Strategy Forum aligning with ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ was held recently by the Colombo School of Business & Management (CSBM) in partnership with the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance.

The objective of this forum was to explore ways of aligning national policy with cutting-edge development strategy and practices where a range of topics within Strategic Management, Public Policy and Leadership can be explored with over 200 key decision makers in the public enterprises participated in this nationally important forum. 

Some of the extended topics discussed were the integration of organisational strategy with the national policy, realising the organisational strategy with the national policy framework, developing HR with strategic mindset, developing a positive working environment in the public sector and self-leadership and improving public outlook of the public sector organisations.  

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa grazed the occasion as did Prof. G.L. Peiris and INSEE Cement Sales, Marketing and Innovations Executive Vice President Jan Kunigk and Information and Mass Media and Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Minister Bandula Gunawardane. The Conference Chair was CSBM Chair and Head Prof. Ranjith Bandara. The forum was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute and the speakers and topics covered are listed below:

• Session one – ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’: Know your State’s vision by Ministry of Urban Development, Water Supply and Housing Facilities Secretary Dr. Priyath Bandu Wikrama
• Session two – Aligning the organisational plans with the State’s plan to ensure effective planning by MAS Intimates Director Operations and CSBM Deputy Chairman Ruwan Keragala
• Session three – Developing the human resource competencies in realising the organisational plans by Ceylon Biscuits Chief Executive Officer Nalin Karunaratne 
• Session four – Developing a positive working environment in the public sector to enhance productivity at work by Lanka Tiles Managing Director Mahedra Jayasekara 
• Session five – Self-leadership and improving public outlook of the public sector organisations by CSBM Chair and Head Prof. Ranjith Bandara

The Public Sector is usually comprised of organisations that are owned and operated by the Government and exists to provide public services for its citizens. The public service in Sri Lanka includes a series of service groups that provide specialised and professional services at various public sector institutions. 

The public servants carry out public duties and the top seniors of these are in the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, Educational Service, Planning Service, Accounting Service and various other Professional Services. At present there are about 1.4 million who serve at the public service and is the largest employer in the country. 

Further, all most all strategically important servers (i.e. public administration, water supply, irrigation, education, electricity, public transport, health etc.,) in the country is mainly supplied by the public sector institutions at the national, provincial and local Government levels. 

As suggested by empirical research, strategic and inspirational leadership is vital in achieving the long-term development of a country. Highly motivated, prolific human capital is essential in this colossal task and therefore, a properly led nation with skilful and positively motivated human resources can deliver miraculous gains to a country. 

Accordingly, it is evident that the root cause of the underdevelopment of Sri Lanka is not simply the lack of economic resources, but it is more or less a dilemma of managing the residual levels of factors of production within the country with a proper leadership. In this context, one should realise that empowering the stock of human resources in the country is of utmost importance.

In the dawn of 2020, Sri Lanka stepped into the New Year with a visionary leader bringing hope to many. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa presented the National Policy Framework ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ with the main intention of fostering Sri Lanka towards success at a faster pace. 

Thus, as the ‘Business School of the Nation’, CSBM has a taken a strategic initiative of conceptualising and organising the ‘Public Sector Development Strategy Forum’ for the third consecutive time, understanding well the full scope of the responsibility undertaken.