Administrators oppose govt. move to deploy Clean Sri Lanka agents in District and Divisional Secretariats

The Association highlighted that Sri Lanka already has a well-established administrative system to deliver public services effectively. This system includes ministries, departments, provincial councils, district and divisional secretariats, and Grama Niladhari divisions. It is supported by internal audit units, the National Audit Office, and various coordination committees that oversee program implementation at different levels. SLADA acknowledged that officers have already been assigned at the divisional level to work on the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, which is monitored through existing community development committees. However, the Association raised concerns about appointing separate coordinators at district and divisional levels and the directive to allocate office space and attach public officials to assist them. They argued that divisional secretariats are neutral institutions that serve all citizens without any political, religious, or ethnic bias, and their independence should be protected. While SLADA recognized that there have been isolated cases of political influence by a few officials, they emphasized that the overall administrative framework has operated as an independent and non-political system that has gained public trust. The Association also noted that the current government’s policy focuses on effective and unbiased public service delivery without interfering with the independence of state institutions. They warned that appointing politically connected coordinators within divisional secretariats and assigning government-paid officials to support them could severely compromise administrative neutrality and might also create legal issues. SLADA pointed out that previous attempts to introduce similar arrangements had faced resistance and that the existing system already enables effective coordination and monitoring of government programs, including Clean Sri Lanka. Therefore, SLADA urged the President’s Secretary to withdraw the decision and let the current administrative systems manage program implementation. They warned that setting such a precedent could have long-term negative effects on public service independence and expressed hope for a review of the directive, stating they would not cooperate with the current arrangement unless their request is addressed.