Courtesy Hiru News

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has expressed serious concern over what she called the decline of Sri Lanka’s professional public service, warning that selective application of justice and politically motivated governance are undermining the foundations of the State.

In a statement posted on her Facebook page, Kumaratunga said she was sharing excerpts from an article titled When Justice Becomes Selective,” noting that the issues discussed in it have a significant impact on the country’s system of governance.

She said she strongly agreed with the article’s arguments, describing it as thoughtful and balanced, especially in its focus on integrity within the public service.

Referring to former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake, who is currently in remand custody over the approval of funds for a foreign visit by then President Ranil Wickremesinghe in 2023, Kumaratunga said she knows him personally and considers him an exceptionally honest and highly professional public official.

Kumaratunga stressed that no government can operate effectively without a capable, efficient and principled public service. While political leaders may not always have extensive administrative experience, she said, they must uphold strong integrity and depend on experienced career officials to run the country properly.

She cautioned that the current administration appears to be weakening the existing public service structure by replacing experienced officials with party loyalists who lack proper qualifications and experience, a move she warned could further damage democratic governance.

Kumaratunga also connected the 2022 Aragalaya protest movement to increased public awareness of governance failures, saying people took to the streets only after recognising the serious decline in standards.

She said Sri Lanka is still facing the effects of nearly 20 years of mismanagement and warned that the country risks further instability unless there is a shift in the way it is governed.

Echoing the views expressed in the Vox Civis article, Kumaratunga said it is ultimately up to the public to reverse this trend, urging citizens to critically examine decisions, consider their long-term impact, and make informed democratic choices to help rebuild the nation.