Bimal highlights need for stronger second tier in public service

Tuesday, 29 April 2025 03:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says absence of second line of leadership within public sector leading to serious practical challenges in executing development projects efficiently
Expresses concern over low rate of implementation of decisions taken during meetings, revealing only about 1-2% of such decisions reach execution stage
States officials at decision-making levels must leave offices at least once a week to gain first-hand understanding of ground-level issues
Asserts need to transform public service that today needs to be pulled along by tugboats into one that moves forward with purpose and responsiveness.

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister and Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake recently emphasised the urgent need to build a stronger second tier of public officials to ensure more effective human resource management and the successful implementation of development initiatives.

Speaking at a discussion with the heads of institutions under his Ministry, held at the Highways Ministry Auditorium on 24 April, Minister Rathnayake pointed out that the absence of a well-developed second line of leadership within the public service is leading to serious practical challenges in executing development projects efficiently.

The Minister urged public sector officials to focus on setting development goals that genuinely benefit the people, stressing that solving citizens’ problems should always be the top priority.

“We do not need to replace the heads of institutions unnecessarily, but if a leader consistently fails, we cannot continue to carry that burden,” he said.

He added that to meet national objectives, it is essential to cultivate a cadre of honest, dedicated, and capable officers.

Minister Rathnayake expressed concern over the low rate of implementation of decisions taken during meetings, revealing that only about 1-2% of such decisions are currently reaching the execution stage. He called this situation ‘unacceptable,’ and insisted that senior officials must engage more closely with realities on the ground.

“Officials at decision-making levels must leave their offices at least once a week to gain first-hand understanding of ground-level issues,” he said, reminding them that the Ministry’s area of responsibility extends across the entire island, not just a single office building.

Highlighting the need to make the public service more efficient and people-friendly, Minister Rathnayake said: “We must transform a public service that today needs to be pulled along by tugboats into one that moves forward with purpose and responsiveness. For that, we need your support and commitment.”

The discussion was attended by Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Additional Secretaries, heads of institutions under the Ministry, and other senior officials.

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