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Last Updated : 2024-03-29 09:52:00
The Cabinet and the Public Services Commission (PSC) are on a collision course over the government’s decision to absorb acting principals with required educational and professional qualifications into the permanent cadre, informed sources said yesterday.
The situation took a turn for the worse on Wednesday with President Mahinda Rajapaksa even vowing to haul the PSC before the Cabinet.
Recently, the Cabinet appointed a sub-committee comprising Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane, Water Supply Minister Dinesh Gunawardane and Petroleum Minister Susil Premajayantha to study the long-standing demands of some 4,000 acting principals.
The sub-committee recommended that those with required qualifications be absorbed into the permanent cadre after evaluating their performance as acting principals. However, the PSC has refused to abide by this recommendation citing technical reasons.
The issue was taken up at Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, where some ministers raised concerns about the difficulties they faced when dealing with the PSC in appointing officials at their ministries.
President Rajapaksa said the PSC was answerable to the Cabinet under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution and was reported to have vowed to summon PSC members before the Cabinet soon.
“Then, all of you can direct questions at these officials,” he told the ministers and referred to the incident where Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s wife had issues with the PSC when she applied for the post of National Hospital Director. The PSC and other independent commissions were established under the 17th Amendment of 2001, to make appointments to the public service devoid of political influence. The members to these commissions were appointed by the Constitutional Council which comprised members nominated by the parties that were represented in parliament at that time.
However, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution enacted on September 8, 2011, provides for the appointment of members to the PSC by the parliamentary council comprising the Speaker, the Opposition Leader and his nominee, and the Prime Minister and his nominee.
When contacted by Daily Mirror, Minister Gunawardane said these acting principals did a great service by working at schools in areas vulnerable to terrorist threats.
“They looked after the schools in the north and the east. It is difficult to run the education sector with the PSC. If these principals boycott work as a mark of protest, I will ask the PSC to look after these schools,” he said angrily.
Attempts to reach the PSC for comments in this regard failed. (Kelum Bandara)
J Webb Friday, 16 September 2011 03:07 AM
PSC is essential for maintaining the remaining credibility of our civil service. This should be a major issue that should be taken up in the parliament.
bada7 Friday, 16 September 2011 04:01 AM
Both sides need to be considered. otherwise quality of govt. service will be questioned.
William Friday, 16 September 2011 05:32 AM
Unbelievable. Do we really have a PSC strong enough to defy the politicians acting on their whims and fancies?
Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 16 September 2011 05:58 AM
Now we see the consequences of abolishing 17th Amendment and inroducting the 18th Amendment giving unbridled power to the politicians to run almost every affair in the country. Very soon people will start losing confidence in the country's judicial system as well. And then the country will be primed to be taken over by a dictatorship.
kaleel Friday, 16 September 2011 06:54 AM
Present PSC is apolitical, so they have become the enemy of politicians. That's why the government long delayed its appointment. Well done PSC! Appreciate your stance.
daya Friday, 16 September 2011 08:03 AM
" Pus Wedillak"
willowsw Friday, 16 September 2011 08:11 AM
so the PSC is right and now they want to get rid of them? what a pathetic country we are in???
sparks Friday, 16 September 2011 08:11 AM
Commencement of political dictatorship and threat against the remaining Independent Legal Instituitions. What a shame, the ordinary citizens of this country who have become buffoons will never understand.
Cheenan Friday, 16 September 2011 10:02 AM
Heartiest congratulations PSC. Well done. Keep it up.The Public Service is behind you.
neil Saturday, 17 September 2011 07:24 AM
Whether you have professional or Educationist absorbed to
CS still their services are below average becos they are
all Political stooges.
neil Saturday, 17 September 2011 07:17 AM
Whether you have professional or Educationist absorbed to
CS still their services are below average becos they are
all Political stooges.
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