News
Aim of the government is to establish an independent and efficient public service that properly serves the people – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the aim of the government is to establish an independent and efficient public service that properly serves the people, and invited the newly appointed officers to come forward in developing the nation through a dedicated and efficient public service.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the ceremony to award appointments to 1,890 officers who were selected from the open competitive examination and subsequent interviews for recruitment to Grade III of the Management Service Officers Service.
The Prime Minister further stated:
“I wish to remind you that you are not joining a traditional public service. You are not entering the inefficient, politically-influenced public service that has prevailed for years, but rather an independent service that stands on behalf of the people.
You know that although this examination was scheduled to be held in November 2020, it was delayed for four years due to restrictions on open recruitment to the public service. Currently, there are about 5,000 vacancies in the Management Service Officers Service.
This examination was conducted following the Cabinet decision to fill 2,223 vacancies in the Management Service Officers Service. Accordingly, today nearly 1,890 new officers are joining the public service.
Recruitment was based strictly on district quotas allocated according to the 2020 district population ratio of Sri Lanka and the candidates who scored the highest marks at the written examination were selected in proper order of merit and were interviewed by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government with complete transparency.
Cabinet approval has also been granted to recruit the remaining officers.
The government is committed to establishing an efficient and independent public service instead of a conventional practice. Especially through a digitized public service, our aim is to deliver services to the people swiftly and to ensure a more people-sensitive Management Service.
Today, public officers have been given the opportunity to act independently. None of our government representatives interfere in the public service. However, we have received reports of certain officials misusing this independence. It was because fraud, corruption, and injustice had spread alarmingly throughout the country that the people elected this government. Therefore, any form of malpractice, fraud, or corruption will no longer be tolerated any further. I remind you that if such incidents are reported, the government will take the maximum possible action.
As honest officials and citizens, you have the right to stand against such fraud, corruption, and irregularities. For the prosperous country and better life that the people expect, not only the government but you, as public officers, must also commit yourselves fully.
The Prime Minister further invited the newly appointed officers to join the task of developing the nation through a dedicated and efficient public service.
Addressing the event, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Chandana Abeyratne stated:
This recruitment has not taken place due to any political influence or personal connections. It is solely on the basis of your merit passing the competitive examination and facing the interview.
In the future, a limited number of officers will also be recruited through a limited competitive examination. After four years, you represent the largest intake of public service. When you retire, may you have the satisfaction that you helped elevate the public service to a higher standard.
We are striving for an independent and efficient public service and your contribution is highly appreciated.
You might have negative experiences from the public service. Ensure that such bitter experiences are not repeated through your service. Instead, work responsibly to deliver services to the public efficiently.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Ruwan Senarath, Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputantri, Secretary to the Ministry Aloka Bandara, and Director General of Combined Services Nishan Mendis, together with the appointees.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ concluded a logistics replenishment visit to Sri Lanka and departed the Port of Colombo on 24 Jan 26.
In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.
The price of gold has risen above $5,000 (£3,659) an ounce for the first time, extending a historic rally that saw the precious metal jump by more than 60% in 2025.
It comes as tensions between the US and NATO over Greenland have added to growing concerns about financial and geopolitical uncertainty.
US President Donald Trump’s trade policies have also worried markets. On Saturday he threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it strikes a trade deal with China.
Gold and other precious metals are seen as a so-called safe-haven assets that investors buy in times of uncertainty.
Demand for gold has also been driven by a range of other factors including higher-than-usual inflation, the weak US dollar, buying by central banks around the world and as the US Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates again this year.
Wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as Washington seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, have also helped push up the price of gold.
On Friday, silver topped $100 an ounce for the first time, building on its almost 150% rise last year.
[BBC]
SJB Working Committee member and ex-SLPP lawmaker Charitha Herath says that all eyes are on the newly constituted Constitutional Council (CC) as to how it will handle the dispute between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and the previous CC, over the appointment of Auditor General (AG).
The former parliamentarian said so in response to The Island query yesterday (25). In terms of the Constitution, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa last week agreed on the appointment of former civil servant Austin Fernando, Professor Wasantha Seneviratne and Ranjith Ariyaratne as non-MP members of the CC.
They replaced former Ministry Secretary Dr. Prathap Ramanujam, former Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Medical Association Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundere and Dr. Dinesha Samararatne of the University of Colombo. Pointing out that they rejected the President’s nominees for the AG’s post on several occasions, Herath emphasised the pivotal importance of the appointment of a person with impeccable credentials.
The other CC members are the Prime Minister, Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne (Chairman), the Opposition Leader, the President’s nominee Bimal Rathnayake and five persons appointed by the President, upon being nominated as follows: one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the MPs representing the Government (Aboobucker Athambawa, MP), one MP nominated by agreement of the majority of the Members of Parliament of the political party, or independent group, to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs (Ajith P. Perera, MP), and one MP nominated by agreement of the Members of Parliament other than those representing the Government and those belonging to the political party or independent group to which the Leader of the Opposition belongs, and appointed by the President ( Sivagnanam Shritharan, MP.)
The present CC was established on October 31, 2022 in terms of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. The Attorney General heads the National Audit Office (NAO). One-time COPE Chief said that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure the integrity of the NAO.
Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.
Herath said that the government was in a bind over the Auditor General’s appointment and the disgraceful campaign launched against Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Jr, PC.
The ex-lawmaker said that JVP/NPP loyalists masquerading as journalists and civil activists had launched the protest against the Attorney General. Herath said that the decision to send Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, on compulsory leave, too, was a matter of serious concern.
Herath said: “This is the same government that campaigned strongly on non-interference, institutional independence, and respect for the rule of law—principles they used to criticise every previous administration. Now, they appear to be doing exactly what they once opposed, only more openly. If this pattern continues, these undemocratic actions will eventually lead to their own downfall.”
BASL in late December, 2025 urged President Dissanayake and others, including the Opposition Leader, to consult civil society and professional bodies, including them, before the appointment of civil society representatives.
Herath said that the newly constituted CC would face its first acid test when it addressed the Auditor General issue.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
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