Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ In a significant development aimed at fostering closer ties and enhancing administrative capabilities, India and Sri Lanka are poised to formalize a memorandum of understanding (MoU) focused on public administration and governance. The initiative, announced by the Prime Minister’s Office of Sri Lanka, underscores a collaborative effort to bolster the efficiency of public services through capacity development and the exchange of expertise.
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Accordingly, a high-level delegation led by V. Srinivas, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), recently concluded an official visit to Sri Lanka spanning from July 7 to July 9. During this visit, discussions held at the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) culminated in mutual agreement on the impending MoU. This agreement is expected to facilitate training for approximately 1,500 Sri Lankan civil servants, thereby equipping them with advanced skills in public administration.
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Central to the discussions was the exchange of insights and best practices in governance, with particular emphasis on implementing effective public grievance remedy systems similar to those successfully operationalized in India. Accordingly, Mr. Srinivas’s presentation on the “Centralized Public Grievance Redressal System: A Foundation for SMART Government” garnered considerable interest among the assembled senior officials, highlighting India’s innovations in enhancing administrative efficiency.
The visit also afforded the delegation an opportunity to observe firsthand the operational dynamics of Sri Lanka’s administrative bodies, including visits to key institutions such as the Colombo District Secretariat and the Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat. These interactions aimed to deepen understanding and facilitate practical exchanges on administrative procedures and document issuance protocols.
This collaborative endeavor underscores the commitment of both nations to fortify bilateral cooperation in personnel administration and governance. It builds upon earlier initiatives such as the National Centre for Good Governance’s (NCGG) training programs, which have already benefited a significant number of Sri Lankan civil servants. Notably, the NCGG has conducted multiple capacity-building sessions, reflecting a robust framework for ongoing knowledge exchange and capacity enhancement.
Looking forward, the anticipated MoU is poised to set a strategic roadmap for future collaborations, focusing on leveraging each country’s strengths in public administration to achieve higher standards of governance. The initiative holds promise not only for enhancing administrative efficiency but also for fostering deeper bilateral ties rooted in shared values of transparency, accountability, and effective public service delivery.
Furthermore, the forthcoming MoU between India and Sri Lanka marks a pivotal step towards institutionalizing collaborative efforts in public administration and governance. By harnessing the synergies between their respective administrative frameworks, both nations are poised to chart a course towards more effective governance practices, ensuring sustainable development and prosperity for their people.
