Govt. to introduce public sector reforms plans next month

The Government is to introduce public sector reforms by the end of next month, State Management Reforms Minister Navin Dissanayaka said in Colombo last week.

With a public sector comprising 1.3 million people and salaries amounting to Rs.355 billion and pensions at Rs. 108 billion for this year the revenue however, stands at Rs.985 billion as per 2011 estimated data released by the Central Bank. The minister was addressing business community leaders at the American Chamber of Commerce organized event held to bring out innovation among leaders.

He noted that in this respect 86% of the revenue was spent on salaries and pensions with only about 14% of revenue allocated for capital expenditure.

A change is required with the spruce up of the public sector that would prove to have better attitudes, more innovation, penalties based performances, and the ability to enjoy more benefits based on one’s performance, he explained.

Mr. Dissanayaka pointed out that while imposing penalties was likely to become a political risk it would however be required as the government remained keen on bringing about change in the public sector.

Changes in the scheme of recruitment and performance appraisal would be initiated as per the plans drafted; he explained adding that the government needs to implement an effective Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to ease lay-offs without using force. An expert advisor to major multinational companies speaking at the event said leaders need to correctly identify their ca- rector of the INSEAD Business School said leaders of organizations need to create a suitable environment that is safe and acceptable for challenge. He was invited as a guest speaker by the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka.

In this respect, a change in the status quo is required to bring about a definite difference in thinking and for this it is necessary to act differently as well.

It was pointed out that without simply giving answers leaders need to listen and question more in order to involve others.

He observed that experimenting was imperative for which they need to take risks and produce numerous innovations.

An idea needs to be discussed with those that are not like us, he said noting that this would be a discovery and the delivery of it would take place through not simply the innovator but most often by the implementers.

Prof. Lehman said building trust was part of assuring safety for others working in the organization that would allow for constructive conflict resolution.