Several public service appointments given as political favours: Minister

By Shane Seneviratne  

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock Resources, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lal Kantha said several appointments to the public service of about 1.5 million employees had been given as political favours and that the International Monetary Fund had recommended reducing the excess staff.  
He told the media after attending the Progress Review Meeting of the Agricultural Sector in Kandy that a plan was underway to uplift the public service for the maximum benefit of the country.  
“The agricultural sector is facing a shortage of professionals and officers to perform essential services. The shortage of Veterinary Surgeons and Wildlife Officers is a major issue. Steps are being taken to fill the existing vacancies in the agricultural sector. The affairs of the Paddy Marketing Board would be streamlined,” he further said.