Chandra J writes to Lalith Weeratunga on public sector work ethic

Friday, 10 January 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

5 January 2014 Registered Post Hon. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, Presidential Secretariat, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1. Dear Sir, A Suggestion Re: A Public Sector Work Ethic for Assurance of Good Governance This letter is addressed to you as the senior most public service officer, to convey to you a suggestion that may be of value in enhancing the public service work ethic for assurance of good governance. This suggestion mirrors the work ethic culture prevalent in many leading private sector business establishments and international organisations. I believe that the effective implementation of this suggestion, would not only enhance the assurance of good governance, but in addition lead to Sri Lanka gaining higher positions in the global good governance indices, an initiative which you lead with commitment. The work ethic culture, systems, processes and compliance commitments in effective practice and enforcement, at each level of the decision making structure, of any ministry, government department and state institution should promote, commit and compliance compel, public services officers to validate that all critical and important decisions, directives, and orders made by them, to the best of the officer’s knowledge and belief; 1.Are in line with the objectives, mission, core values and agreed key policies and strategies of the ministry, government department and state institution 2.Will be in the long term advance the sustainable interests of the state and the people 3.Are in conformity with the provisions of the constitution, law and regulations as presently applicable 4.Uphold the rights of the stakeholders of society and are in conformity with the state’s local and international obligations 5.Are in conformity with the principles of good governance, integrity and ethical best practice commitments of the officer concerned If at any stage during the administration process, a public service officer, in making any critical and important decisions, directives, and orders, is unable to the best of the officer’s knowledge and belief, to positively validate all of the aforesaid five commitments as set out in the check list above, such officer must by the prevalent work ethic culture, systems, processes and compliance commitments in effective practice and enforcement, refer such critical and important decisions, directives, and orders to the superior of such officer in the decision making structure of the ministry, government department or state institution, along with a minute giving reasons why such officer has so made a reference to the superior. In the effective practice and implementation of this suggestion within the decision making structure of any ministry, government department and state institution, the final decision making authority will rest with the chief accounting officer of the said ministry, government department and state institution. I would be most grateful if this suggestion made in the best interests of enhanced good governance in the public service in Sri Lanka, consequently leading to improved positions in global good governance indicators, will kindly be reviewed by you, possibly in association with the Committee of Secretaries, especially those copied in on this mail, and implemented as part of the administrative restructure and change management initiatives of the public service planned for 2014. Yours sincerely, Chandra Jayaratne cc. Secretary, Ministry of Finance & Planning and Economic Development, Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration & Home Affairs, Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Secretary, Ministry of Law & Order, Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Secretary, Ministry of Education, Secretary, Ministry of Health, Attorney General, Auditor General, Chairman, Public Accounts Committee – for information Chairman, Committee On Public Enterprises – for information Heads of SLIDA, MILODA, Central Bank Training Centre – for information Media – for publication in the interest of the stakeholders of society