Sri Lankan President urges politicians and government officials to work together for the benefit of the country

Feb 18, Colombo: Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena says the division between the politicians and the public officials is an obstacle for the forward march of the country and therefore, all should give up conventional thinking and existing political culture and work together with an open mind for the benefit of the country and the people.

The President made these remarks addressing a special program held in the Urban Council Auditorium in Weligama yesterday on the theme ‘The role of public official in the Development Process' to educate local government officials

The President said the government is committed to make a significant change in the public service and the public officials and politicians should change their individual attitudes to change the country for better.

The media institutions should also change their attitude in reporting the President said suggesting the media should not only report negative news merely inspired by commercial success and popularity.

He requested the heads of the public institutions to utilize the resources of the relevant institutions not as their private assets but as public wealth.

Senior adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Empowerment Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawarathne delivered the keynote speech on “Role of Public Official to Produce a Poverty Free and Empowered in Sri Lanka and the Challenges They Face”.

At the occasion, provincial government officials paying tribute presented a memento to the President.

Governor of Southern Province Hema Kumara Nanayakkara, Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal De Silva, Provincial Ministers and Southern Province state officials were also present at the occasion.