Image courtesy of PMD.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the officials to treat all verbal orders issued reports presidential media division. The PMD reports that the President has ordered officials to
- Consider all the verbal orders as circulars
- Those who neglect will be punished
- 14-day rule is in place
- Immediate solutions for issues in the area
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the officials to treat all verbal orders issued for the common good of the people as circulars to be implemented. “Those who neglect this will face stern action” President added.
In fact he was referring to verbal orders given by him to the offcials present. It is not clear if this dictum will be applicable to the PM and cabinet ministers as well.
Futher he has advised officials to “If a written inquiry from one institution does not receive a reply from the other institution within 14 days, consider it as approved.”
Number of senior lawyers told Sri Lanka Brief that these orders go against the written law of the country and established normes of democratic governance. Further if there is no proper and verified record of those orders they could be interpreted differently they told SLB.
The President has made these directives at the “Discussion with Villagers” forum which commenced today (September 25) at Velanwita village in Haldummulla, Badulla.
“I expect public officials to consciously comprehend the problems of the people and provide solutions. I will always stand by the officials who make the right and unwavering decisions on behalf of the people. State institutions take a long time to address people’s issues. If a written inquiry from one institution does not receive a reply from the other institution within 14 days, consider it as approved.” President ordered.
The villagers has told the President that the people had abandoned their traditional villages due to the unavailability of basic practices such as roads, electricity and drinking water.
The President has directed the relevant authorities to carpet the road from the village 100 Acres to Velanwita, to identify water sources in order to meet drinking water requirements and to provide electricity within three months.
President Rajapaksa paid attention to the difficulties faced by the people due to the communication difficulties and it was decided on the spot to provide communication facilities within several weeks reports PMD.