Public sector work ethic doctrine urged by good governance campaigner
A Public Sector work ethic doctrine to ensure good governance has been suggested by good governance campaigner Chandra Jayaratne.
In a letter to Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President, Mr. Jayaratne has said this suggestion mirrors the work ethic culture prevalent in many leading private sector business establishments and international organizations.
"I believe that the effective implementation of this suggestion, would not only enhance the assurance of good governance, but in addition lead to Sri Lanka gaining higher positions in the global good governance indices, an initiative which you lead with commitment," the letter said.
Mr. Jayaratne, a former chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, has been campaigning for many years on a good governance platform urging the authorities to create an era of transparency, accountability and good governance.
He said the work ethic culture, systems, processes and compliance commitments in effective practice and enforcement, at each level of the decision making structure, of any ministry, government department and state institution should promote, commit and compliance compel, public services officers to validate that all critical and important decisions, directives, and orders made by them, to the best of the officer's knowledge and belief; 1. Are in line with the objectives, mission, core values and agreed key policies and strategies of the ministry, government department and state institution 2. Will be in the long term advance the sustainable interests of the state and the people 3. Are in conformity with the provisions of the constitution, law and regulations as presently applicable 4. Uphold the rights of the stakeholders of society and are in conformity with the state's local and international obligations 5. Are in conformity with the principles of good governance, integrity and ethical best practice commitments of the officer concerned "If at any stage during the admin- istration process, a public service officer, in making any critical and important decisions, directives, and orders, is unable to the best of the officer's knowledge and belief, to positively validate all of the aforesaid five commitments as set out in the check list above, such officer must by the prevalent work ethic culture, systems, processes and compliance commitments in effective practice and enforcement, refer such critical and important decisions, directives, and orders to the superior of such officer in the decision making structure of the ministry, government department or state institution, along with a minute giving reasons why such officer has so made a reference to the superior.
In the effective practice and implementation of this suggestion within the decision making structure of any ministry, government department and state institution, the final decision making authority will rest with the Chief Accounting Officer of the said ministry, government department and state institution," the letter said.