Sunday Times 2
Debasing the once prestigious post of permanent secretary to ministry
In the good old days, the essential features of the post of permanent secretary to a ministry, was its non-political and permanent nature. Ministers came and ministers went with Cabinet changes or otherwise, but the secretary carried on with his good work. It is the permanent secretaries to the ministries who ensured compliance with the Administrative Regulations, the Financial Regulations and good discipline.
The functions and accountabilities of the permanent secretaries remained the same although these appointments today are mostly political. The accountability of the secretaries to ministries is put to test mainly during elections when public resources are misused by politicians in power causing colossal losses to the state. Public resources include public servants. Public servants cannot, therefore, participate in political propaganda work. Ministry secretaries too are public servants, paid by the public and are moreover duty bound to ensure that no violation of the law takes place.
To discharge their responsibilities in regard to public resources, secretaries to ministries should themselves steer clear of political campaigning. The most accountable ministries especially during election times are the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Authority (D & UDA) and the Ministry of Law and Order. A grave situation has arisen with Defence and UDA Ministry Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Law and Order Ministry Secretary Mahinda Balasuriya, themselves openly indulging in political activities, thereby involving the military, the police and the UDA. It is alleged that Senior DIG Anura Senanayake, who is on extensive extensions of service, has also joined the fray. Specific instances are too many to list here – they will be reported to the relevant authorities. But who will act? Your guess is as good as mine! The reports will also be released via media to the ‘Light of Human Conscience and the Bar of Public Opinion’ – the highest court, for judgment and appropriate action.
The two above mentioned secretaries and the Senior DIG are a big embarrassment to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). IG Police NK Illangakoon is an officer of high integrity. He would have brought the Police Department to a level of acceptance by the people if not for the impediment of these two secretaries weighing heavily over him.
The media have been exposing the influence of the underworld in today’s governance. But far worse is when public servants who are ‘right on top of the world’ are so debased as to descend to abysmal levels, causing far worse harm to the fabric of society than underworld elements can ever cause.
(The writer is a retired Senior Superintendent of Police)