High Level Official Delegation from NCGG of India Visits Sri Lanka to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
A high-level official delegation, led by Shri V. Srinivas, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India, and Director General of the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG), successfully concluded an official mission to Sri Lanka from July 07th to 09th July 2024. The mission, marked by productive deliberations and strategic meetings, has paved the way for enhanced bilateral cooperation and capacity building support for Senior Public Officials.
The distinguished delegation included Shri NBS Rajput, Joint Secretary, DARPG; Dr. A.P. Singh, Associate Professor, NCGG; Ms. Presca Mathew, Chief Administrative Officer, NCGG; and Dr. Mukesh Bhandari, Research Associate and Training Faculty, NCGG, arrived on July 7, 2024, and were warmly received by Mr. Pradeep Yasaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, and Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewe, Director General of SLIDA.
A significant highlight of the two-day high-level mission included a courtesy call on the Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister, and the State Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Asoka Priyantha, on July 9, 2024, at the Parliament premises. This meeting underscored the robust bilateral relations and India’s steadfast commitment under its “Neighbours First” policy toward Sri Lanka’s ongoing governance reforms. The delegation also had courtesy calls with the Secretary to the President and the Secretary to the Prime Minister, further solidifying the collaborative efforts between the two countries. The delegation engaged in a series of productive meetings with the Secretary to the Prime Minister and the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government. A follow-up discussion session was held at the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), where both parties agreed on future collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The proposed knowledge-empowering engagements will focus on capacity development and the exchange of expertise in public administration and governance, aiming to develop approximately 1,500 Sri Lankan civil servants. This initiative is anticipated to profoundly impact the efficiency of public service with high levels of good governance.
Shri V. Srinivas also delivered an insightful oration on “Centralized Public Grievance Redressal System: A Foundation for SMART Government” at the SLIDA main auditorium, attended by over 150 senior public officials. This session highlighted advancements in India’s highly efficient public grievance redressal system and its potential relevance to Sri Lanka’s public administration.
The delegation was invited to visit the Colombo District Secretariat and the Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat to observe the functioning of the Registrar Division, which issues vital documents including birth, marriage, and death certificates. The visit also included several formal networking luncheons and dinners with senior official dignitaries, creating ample opportunity for informal interactions to strengthen interpersonal bilateral relations.
The two-day official mission successfully concluded with a clear roadmap for a five-year (2024-2028) collaboration between SLIDA and NCGG, contributing to the enhancement of public service efficiency. Both countries reiterated their full commitment to continuing the strong partnership in ongoing reforms and capacity development of public service delivery.
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