{"id":124444,"date":"2023-11-09T19:15:01","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T19:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=124444"},"modified":"2023-11-11T04:52:36","modified_gmt":"2023-11-11T04:52:36","slug":"the-influence-of-political-leaders-on-administrative-service-officers-in-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/the-influence-of-political-leaders-on-administrative-service-officers-in-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"The Influence of Political Leaders on Administrative Service Officers in Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Influence of Political Leaders on Administrative Service Officers in Sri Lanka<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

A pervasive issue in Sri Lanka is the attitude of many government leaders who believe that oral orders should supersede existing written laws and circulars. This phenomenon has prompted me to write an academic article on this subject. A prevailing political opinion in Sri Lanka suggests that government officials should unquestionably accept and implement oral orders from leaders, disregarding the established legal framework and official circulars.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\u0dc1\u0dca_\u0dbb\u0dd3\u0dbd\u0d82\u0d9a\u0dcf<\/span><\/p>\n

Recall the “Village Reconciliation”\u00a0\u00a0( “\u0d9c\u0db8\u00a0\u0dc3\u0db8\u0d9c\u00a0\u0db4\u0dd2\u0dc5\u0dd2\u0dc3\u0db3\u0dbb\u0d9a\u0dca”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0)\u00a0 \u00a0 program initiated after Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa became President. During its first progress review on April 26, 2021, a villager lodged a complaint with the President. “Sir, despite your prior directive, the Haldummulla Divisional Secretary has not issued us a land license. When we attempt to clear the area, we encounter forest officers and face legal consequences.” The villager filed a complaint against the Divisional Secretary.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

President Gotabaya inquired of the Divisional Secretary, “Why haven’t these people received their land licenses?”<\/span><\/p>\n

“Sir, if a policy decision is conveyed through an official circular, I can promptly implement it,” the Divisional Secretary explained, emphasizing the proper procedure.<\/span><\/p>\n

In response, President Gotabaya expressed frustration, stating, “I am the President of this country. What need is there for a circular? My directive is the country’s law.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Subsequently, the Haldummulla Divisional Secretary was transferred from his position. Since then, “Sir Kivu Lo”-\u00a0\u0dc3\u0dbb\u0dca\u00a0\u0d9a\u0dd2\u0dc0\u0dca\u00a0\u0dbd\u0ddd\u00a0 (Circular) has become colloquially known as “Circular.”<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to various subjects, including land laws, administrative laws,Financial Regulations, and criminal and civil laws, it is imperative to address the undue influence wielded by temporary politicians over field-trained administrative and parallel service officers emerging from the Sri Lanka Development Administration Institute (SLIDA). These officers should recognize their authority to reject illegal directives from politicians.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In early November 2023 , reports emerged of the current Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe, exerting pressure on a department head in Nuwara Eliya, similar to Mr. Gotabaya Rajapakse’s approach. Mr. Wickramasinghe had previously ordered the Postmaster General to hand over the post office building in Nuwara Eliya to another department for conversion into a tourist hotel. However, the implementation was found lacking in a meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Nuwara<\/span>
\n\"Image<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n