This is the golden era of the public service: President

Saturday, 20 December 2014 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while reiterating that his government’s policy has always been to expand the public service by strengthening the state sector, said this is the golden era of the public service.

The Government has strengthened and streamlined the public service to obtain the maximum benefits for the country and people. Public service officials therefore have to come forward with the goal of serving the nation, fulfilling the aspirations and needs of the people to the best of their ability, he told an election rally in Mullaitivu on Thursday. President Rajapasksa said there was an era in which the public service and its strengths were taken lightly, with only the private sector being considered capable. “As a result, the public service suffered immensely. In the past, there were plans to reduce the public sector workforce to 300,000 but under our Government we have increased the number to over 1.5 million. These measures to strengthen this sector are paying rich dividends,” he said. On Government plans to further expand the public service workforce, President Rajapaksa noted that he has allocated funds from the last budget to recruit another 150,000 youth to the public sector. The President also observed that the present Government had taken steps to increase the salaries and pensions of state sector employees and had provided other concessions to the maximum possible extent. He said thereby the Government had been able to create an environment where all state sector employees could work without fear or favour, upholding the dignity of their profession. “We have given you the opportunity to join the state service irrespective of any differences. We have taken Mahindodaya Technological laboratories, technical and vocational colleges to the villages to provide equal opportunities and facilities for education. Use these facilities to give your children a good education and for them to obtain lucrative employment opportunities,” he added. He also said that certain Tamil politicians who are seeking the votes of the people of the North always sent their children abroad for education. “These people have no regard for your children’s wellbeing. On the other hand, I have a responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of all the children in this country and I am fully committed to upholding that responsibility in the future as well to the best of my ability,” he further said. The President also said his Government was able to dispel the darkness which enveloped these areas and the whole country for 30 long years, within a span of less than four years. In the aftermath of that, the President noted that unprecedented socio-economic development has taken place. In the Mullaitivu area, the President noted, roads, hospitals, schools and other facilities had been developed with electricity being provided to most households. The President said that in the future he would instruct officials to make the Colombo-Jaffna express train also stop in Mankulam to provide better transport facilities. He noted that a crucial election is to be held which could decide whether the country would go back to the dark era of the past or whether it would proceed on the current path towards a bright and prosperous future. The President the people to use their vote wisely without falling prey to the canards spread by certain elements with vested interests. Meanwhile, President also met electorate organisers in north. Addressing them, the President said he treats the south and north equally. “What I have given to the south has also been given to the North, sometimes more.” Taking Jaffna hospital as an example, the President said there is no such hospital anywhere in the country.