Divisional Secretaries accuse government officials of interference.

The Sri Lanka Divisional Secretaries' and Assistant Divisional Secretaries' Association has expressed its strong protest regarding an incident that contradicts the statements made by the National People's Power (NPP) government that political interference in the public service has been completely stopped. Condemning the political interference carried out by the Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation, the Association has sent a strongly worded letter to the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation.

The letter sent by the Association reveals that the Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister has directly sent letters to Divisional Secretaries regarding land issues, thereby attempting to unnecessarily interfere with their official duties. They point out that such actions deprive public officials of the opportunity to act independently.

The Divisional Secretaries' Association emphasizes that a proper procedure should be followed to avoid such problematic situations when dealing with land issues and requests submitted by the public. They point out that if observations from the Ministry are to be conveyed to Divisional Secretaries, it should only be done through an official letter via an Additional Ministry Secretary, a Senior Assistant Ministry Secretary, or an officer designated for that purpose in the Ministry office, under the supervision of the Ministry Secretary.

The Divisional Secretaries' Association, noting its strong protest regarding this political interference by the Private Secretary to the Deputy Minister concerning land issues, has strongly urged the Ministry Secretary to immediately establish a suitable mechanism to enable officials to carry out their duties independently, free from such influences.