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President Mahinda Rajapaksa presided over the Government Family Health Officers’ (Midwives) Annual General Meeting at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Tuesday - Pic by Nalin Hewapathirana
The public service therefore has to come forward with the true aim of serving the nation, fulfilling the aspirations of the people, shedding its lethargic attitude and work patterns, which have previously drawn the ire of the public, he added.
The President was speaking at the Annual General Meeting of Family Health Officers at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Tuesday.
President Rajapaksa praised the services of Family Health Officers saying that they render yeoman service in society to create a healthy young generation.
“Even the unofficial curfews, you dedicate your service to mothers. As a result of your admirable service, the child mortality rate of Sri Lanka is low,” the President said.
President Rajapaksa added that unlike in other countries, Sri Lanka provides people with several free benefits.
Accordingly, the free health service, free education and many other free services and benefits are offered by the Government. Public servants should not neglect the pivotal role and responsibilities that come with their duty and are duty bound to serve the public, he commented.
The President said as a people-friendly and patriotic Government, every possible measure has already been taken to bring maximum benefits to the people. “After liberating the country from the clutches of terrorism, the entire country is being developed”, he said.
President Rajapaksa also recalled how at one time steps were taken to bring down the number of public servants from 800,000 to 300,000.
“There was an era in which the public service was badly hampered. They only placed confidence in the private sector and hence planned to reduce the number of public servants to 300,000,” he said.
President Rajapaksa stressed that this was not an era where state institutions were being sold, but to regain those that were privatised and run them with proper management plans. The President said the Government as a policy never privatises Government entities, properties, etc.
“As a people-friendly and country friendly Government, public institutions will never be privatised. This is not an era to sell Government entities but to regain those that were privatised. For instance, SriLankan Airlines, the insurance corporation, gas company, Sevanagala Sugar Factory and several more state organisations were regained. We put a full stop to privatisation in 2005,” the President noted.
President Rajapaksa added that the country has been placed on a rapid development track after the defeat of terrorism. “Everyone is witness to the development dividend,” he said.
