Sri Lanka’s Minister for Industries, Ramesh Pathirana believes the country’s Public Service is overstaffed and services won’t be affected by the Government’s recent hiring freeze.
However, where vacancies do exist, officers are to be transferred from Agencies that had surplus staff.
“A large number of graduates have been recruited in recent years,” Dr Pathirana said.
“Other categories of employees have also been recruited from time to time, following the approved recruitment procedures, as well as under the policy decisions taken by successive Governments,” he said.
“Despite this, there exist vacancies in certain categories.”
Dr Pathirana said the Government would appoint a committee of officers, headed by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, to review these matters and make recommendations for the problems currently arising in the Public Service.
“The committee will also identify the priorities regarding any essential recruitments that have to be made and recommend the time frames for the same so the Public Service can continue to operate efficiently and effectively,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, the rising cost of living has led to a relaxation in the dress code for the bureaucracy, with Secretary for Public Administration, P. K. Mayadunne saying public employees could report for work in “any form of suitable attire”.
He said the decision was made in consideration of the rapid increase in prices of sarees and other clothing worn by public sector employees.
Colombo, 25 September 2022
