Integrated government mechanism is vital – Defence Secretary
September 11, 2020- Says clear government administrative mechanism needs be established
- Assures to put not only users but drug lords also behind bars
Public Administration, Planning Services, Accounting Service, Tri-Forces, Police, Prisons Customs etc. should be integrated into a unique government mechanism system while eliminating corruption in the system, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said, today (11).
While emphasising on creating a clear government administrative mechanism he said people’s expectations must be achieved efficiently and speedily.
Stating on his new appointment as the State Ministry’s Secretary in addition to the present duties he said this new assignment was to integrate the government mechanism to deliver an efficient service to the people.
Addressing officials of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service at the Water’s Edge Hotel, Battaramulla he said he was expecting to visit the abandoned Bogambara Prison in Kandy to look into the possibility of resuming its operations again to the former standard to cater the increasing number of prisoners.
He said according to Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya the number of prisoners in jails for drug related offences has exceeded 30,000.
Requesting not to misinterpret that only the drug users are attested while the drug lords are being scot free he said the law enforcement authorities are working to nab all the levels of drug peddling as envisioned by the President in his election manifesto.
Recalling one of his recent visits to a rural village in Dambulla area, he said villagers had handed over more than 10 letters to the nearest Army camp where he was staying that night requesting him to get that village under his purview to curb drug menace.
“General public must aware of daily drugs seizures by law enforcement authorities because then they would feel that they are now safe”, he said.
Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said their efforts were not fruitful if there was no room for people to rejoice the freedom in the country.
Stating on recently doused fire on MT New Diamond the Defence Secretary said it was one of the long term effecting disasters, had the ship been wrecked by the fire.
“However all local and foreign stakeholders were able to douse the fire and were able to manage the situation effectively," he added.
