Political leadership has direct effect on State institutions’ future: President

Thursday, 5 March 2015 01:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that the reputation of an institution depends on its officials and not on the laws that are in place. The attitudes of officials holding responsible positions should also change to make the public service free of malpractices and frauds, the President has added. President Maithripala Sirisena, while addressing a meeting held with the representatives of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association at the President’s office recently, has also said that State institutions would be free of corruption and fraud if they came under the purview of genuine politicians. The President pointed out the political leadership had a direct effect on the future of State institutions. He has also said that tender procedures havealso created avenues for malpractices and fraud and as such the present Government is prepared to ensure transparency in public institutions. Several proposals to make the public service efficient were presented to the President at this occasion. Secretary to the President P.B. Abeykoon, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance R.H.S. Samaratunga and several Government officials were present at the meeting.

Honest and clean politicians will make public institutions corruption free: President

Political leadership has a direct impact on the progress of the Government institutions and when the politicians are honest and clean, institutions will automatically become efficient and corruption-free entities, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

President made these observations at a function yesterday to hand over the MV Lagoons passenger vessel manufactured by the Colombo Dockyard to the Government of India. “The current Government is always willing to ensure the transparency of Government institutions,” the President emphasised, adding that it was the responsibility of everyone to shun corruption and fraud at Government offices which generate national income. The majority of the income generated by the Colombo Port has to be utilised to repay the loans obtained for the construction of the Hambantota Port and if this situation had not occurred, this country and its people would have benefitted from all the revenue, the President pointed out. “This Government is keen to perform its duties empowered by new attitudes and everyone should identify his or her duties for the benefit of next generation. Production of this vessel is a clear testimony of the knowledge and technology of our engineers,” the President further said. MV Lagoons, the second 400 passenger cum 250 ton cargo vessel, will join its twin sister vessel MV Corals, which was also built and delivered by Colombo Dockyard. With the operation of the latest vessel, it will further ease congestion and provide uninterrupted service for passengers and freight from Cochin to Lakshadweep islands which generally takes around 20 hours. Board of Investment Chairman Upul Jayasooriya, Colombo Dockyard PLC Chairman Dr. Toru Takehara and representatives of the Indian Government were also present at the occasion.