--By A Special Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -23.March.2025, 10.50 PM) Over the past few days, I have been observing COPA (Committee on Public Accounts) meetings.
Alas! As a former public servant, it saddens me deeply to witness senior officials of the administrative service being humiliated before committee members. The existence of corrupt thieves like them has dragged down the once highly respected public service to the level of a disgrace. This fuels immense resentment within us.
The administrative service is a valuable legacy left to our country by the British. Back then, it was known as the Ceylon Civil Service (CCS), and only a select few reached the highest positions in government. These officials efficiently and honestly served as Permanent Secretaries and Government Agents. However, the CCS was abolished and replaced by the Ceylon Administrative Service (CAS).
After Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972, the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) replaced CAS. Until 1970, the administrative functions of state officials were overseen by the Public Service Commission (PSC). However, the Sirima Bandaranaike government transferred these powers to the Cabinet after 1970. This was the turning point that led to the downfall of the administrative service, turning it into a tool of politicians. The blame for this curse should fall on Sirima Bandaranaike and Felix Dias.
Although there were still many honest and courageous officers, the majority started collaborating with corrupt politicians to secure promotions and embezzle national wealth. J.R. Jayewardene's government (1977-1994) continued the same system for 17 years. Premadasa’s administration was even more corrupt, treating public servants like slaves. He created a submissive group of officers who allowed him to plunder state funds at will.
Even after Chandrika Kumaratunga came to power in 2004, the same corrupt and oppressive political practices continued. However, the most corrupt era began in 2005 with Mahinda Rajapaksa's rise to power. The Rajapaksa family controlled around 75% of national revenue by restructuring the entire state system to suit their interests. They appointed close associates to top positions, including corrupt officials like Lalith Weeratunga, Gamini Senarath, and P.B. Jayasundara, who acted as the Rajapaksa family’s personal accountants, freely using the state treasury.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling that prevented P.B. Jayasundara from holding any government position due to corruption, he was reappointed as the Secretary to the Treasury, allowing him to misappropriate billions of public funds. Mahinda Rajapaksa also used administrative officers like Lalith and Gamini for political operations, which later led to their imprisonment. Due to such corrupt officials, the entire administrative service lost the people's trust. When the President, Prime Minister, and ministers publicly looted taxpayers’ money, lower-ranking officials followed suit, normalizing corruption at every level.
The Sirisena-Ranil government (2015-2019) was even more corrupt than the Rajapaksas. Sirisena's Chief of Staff was arrested for accepting a bribe of 20 million rupees and is now in prison. Immigration and Emigration officials were also imprisoned for engaging in gambling with Ranil’s associates.
Currently, the COPA committee is investigating the Commissioner General of RMV (Department of Motor Traffic) and other administrative officers for their involvement in corrupt transactions.
One of the biggest jokes in Sri Lankan history is the appointment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP)—a topic I will address separately.
At this critical juncture, a complete overhaul of the administrative service is essential. If such reforms do not take place, the country will face an even worse downfall than during the 2019–2024 period.
-By A Special Correspondent
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by (2025-03-23 17:16:31)
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