Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed a group of Rotary International Representatives from 150 nations in Seoul, South Korea today. The 107th Rotary International Convention commenced at the Korean International Exhibition Centre under the auspices of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the South Korean premier Hwang Kyan.

The keynote speech was delivered by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of such international organisations in an era in which the role of governments and service organisations is undergoing rapid transformation.

He noted that in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, many governments had to adopt austerity measures to minimize budget deficits, leading to welfare cuts and structural changes.

However, PM Wickremesinghe also noted that financial discipline, budget control and minimising budget deficits, does not mean that government’s can abandon certain social welfare responsibilities and that public service too needs to be transformed to be more goal oriented,

The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of women’s representation in government and service organisations.

• Sri Lankan wins Asian Games athletics medal after 17 years
• Watch FACE THE NATION. Every Wednesday @ 9.30 pm on TV-1. Dialog TV Ch10. PEO TV Ch12
• Shi Yan 6: Ruhuna University steps away from joint research program
• Watch The People’s Platform. Every Tuesday and Friday @ 9.30 pm on TV-1. Dialog TV Ch10. PEO TV Ch12
• NEWSLINE. Asking questions you want answered. Every weekday 8.30 pm on TV-1, Dialog TV 10, PEO TV 12