Government moves to shut down or merge 34 state institutions

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has revealed that the Ministry of Finance has appointed a committee to examine the closure or merger of 34 state institutions identified as unnecessary or inefficient.

Addressing the 100th Annual Conference of the Government Surveyors’ Association at Waters Edge in Battaramulla on Friday (23), the President said the move was part of broader efforts to establish an efficient public service staffed by capable and highly qualified professionals.

He noted that political appointments made in the past had resulted in excessive staffing at lower levels of the public service, creating a substantial financial burden on the Government.

The President said the Government was working to make public sector employment more attractive to qualified professionals, particularly engineers, IT specialists and managers, whose recruitment and retention had become increasingly difficult.

Referring to public sector salaries, President Dissanayake said the Government had introduced a three-phase increase in basic salaries covering 2025, 2026 and 2027.

He explained that each phase would cost the Government approximately Rs. 110 billion, bringing the additional annual salary expenditure to Rs. 330 billion by 2027 compared with 2024.

However, he confirmed that no further increase in basic salaries was planned under the 2028 Budget, although greater consideration could be given to allowances.

The President also stressed the importance of strengthening public administration to ensure that the benefits of economic recovery reach people at the grassroots level.

He said an efficient state machinery was essential to improving public services, resolving land-related issues and expanding access to agricultural, educational and healthcare facilities.

The President further pledged government support to modernise the surveying service through advanced technology, improved human resource development and necessary reforms to existing service regulations.

According to the President’s Media Division, the Government is prepared to allocate funds for modern surveying equipment based on an assessment of the sector’s technological requirements. (Newswire)

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