Dr Sarath Obeysekera

I have been working in establishments in private and public sector under all above presidents. Only good thing I learnt  was during RP’s time when he kept us on pins and we delivered. I used to get calls at 4 am from Keselewatte about a problem related to public inconvenience somewhere and wanted me to attend .He did not ask the Minister or the Secretary he came direct .All heads of state sector and chairmen of corporation were sleepless .

Despite all the problems in the country ,where tigers JVP were playing havoc country moved forward .

DB came am we all felt sleepy and CB came and we went to sleep as country was on a stand still, MR comes with a bang and we could not do much as only a selected crowd was trying to run the admin functions with all top ministries under his close confidantes .I was never able to get a time to meet MR  in contrast to RP ,DB and CB where I could meet them to solve problems

What do we have now ? I get invited to various committees headed by southern development minister and even PM to present our cases related to delays in investments. Minutes are sent to heads of departments and secretaries  and the ministers in charge gives  a hoot !

I have a classic example of development of Boat Building and the decisions made by the CCEM (Cabinet committee for  Economic Management) where top level ministers get together and make decisions are conveyed to a particular minister via the secretary and they sleep on it .

How far we can go when decisions made at that high level are ignored

I am willing to testify at any inquiry and explain so that whole country knows that we are eagerly waiting with hopes for  a change

Dr Sarath Obeysekera