State institutions need to be people-friendly, says President’s Secretary Weeratunga
View(s):The smooth workings of a government could be ruined if officials in government offices in a remote area don’t handle the public in a people-friendly manner.
Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, made this comment while speaking at the media briefing to mark the launching of the facility to view ETF Information formulated by Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), held last week in Colombo.
He said that once a politician in England has said that the popularity of the government based in London depends on the attitude of the police constable (Bobby) on the road, towards the people.
Mr. Weeratunga extensively elaborated the many development activities completed by the Government towards easing public life.
K. M. A. Godawatte, Chairman, ETF Trust Fund Board conceded that they did not have a proper means of acknowledging, even receiving the applications to claim the contributions and the interest therein, until the facility that is launched now.
He said that every month they receive contributions in the range of Rs. 130 to 140 million and receive about 1,300 applications per month to claim the money by the members. He said that these applications hitherto were received by post and there was no means to acknowledge the receipt of the applications.
Mr. Godawatte said that even he received telephone calls inquiring about applications, yet he too was unable to provide that information. He said members ask “Sabhapathithuma api illumpathra evua than dawas 4 kata issarawelaa mokada welaathiyenne” (We have sent the applications 4 days ago.What is happening now?).
He said that their main task is to collect funds and now these funds are sent to them after completing a large amount of paper work by the employers.
They are now processing to receive these funds via Internet. With the present system in operation, he said that the members are informed through Internet and mobile telephone SMS the receipt of the applications and when the funds are transferred to the bank.
On the sidelines of the media briefing Mr Godawatte told the Business Times that their institution is run by the funds generated by the members and no government funds are involved in the maintenance of the institution. (QP)