President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said the inefficiency in the state sector should come to an end during the tenure of the present government and asserted that strict action will be taken against public officers found guilty of misconduct including corruption and bribery.

During a discussion with the officials of the Ministry of Public Transport held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, President Rajapaksa said inefficient public service has created displeasure among the public towards every previous government.

He highlighted the importance of efficiency and transparency in every state entity with a direct linkage to the day to day public life.

“Unnecessary ordinances and regulations should be amended immediately in order to transform the public service. The process of providing services by the state sector should be simple and should be conducted in a manner that will not impose unnecessary burden on the public,” the President said

He said the entire state sector should bear the responsibility of restoring the public faith and trust in their service. “Open discussions and debate over issues without hesitation are vital in this process,” he said. The President said since the public service is the backbone of the country, a committee of experts was appointed to select qualified and skilled professionals to the higher positions in state institutes. He also said all irregularities in the public service should be eliminated and added that he has instructed the intelligence services and the Department of Criminal Investigation to look into such irregularities and apprehend those who are responsible.

“If a public servant is found guilty of any misconduct he will be punished irrespective of his position and will be stripped off the opportunity of holding any position at a government institute,” President Rajapaksa said. He said anyone involved in taking or giving bribes will be dealt with accordingly.

“The confidence of the foreign investors, as well as the good image of the country, lies upon the status of our government service. The benefits offered to the public servants can only be enhanced through strengthening the service. The salaries of the government employees are being paid using the earnings from other sectors in the country. Therefore, the public servants have an unquestionable responsibility towards the nation,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)