Govt. officers will be replaced if they don't meet targets - President

Colombo (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stressed that measures should be taken to put an end to the accusation that “people are unable to get their expected tasks fulfilled from the government institutions that provide public services". The President said that a number of pledges made in the National Policy Framework, “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” have already been fulfilled even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the people had pointed out the inefficiency, corruption, and time-consuming process of certain state institutions as causes for the displeasure among the public. The President said that the issue could be resolved through the direct involvement of State Ministers and the use of technology for an efficient public service. President Rajapaksa expressed these views at the monthly review meeting held with the state ministers on Wednesday (21). The President further said that there have also been reports of the Heads of some institutions failing to perform their duties properly. President Rajapaksa, who asked state ministers for a report on such institutions that have not met the government's targets, said that he is also ready to appoint new officials to these institutions if the need arises. The President also stressed the need to observe the progress and expedite the projects that have been funded through foreign loans and the allocations of the national budget. "Our strength lies in the people. Their requirements must be fulfilled immediately. Work should be carried out without distancing yourselves from the people and also by paying attention to their plights," the President told the state ministers.