Recruitment to Public Service Based on Merit and Qualifications, Free from Political Influence – Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa
A total of 436 newly recruited Health Service Assistants (SKS) received their appointment letters at a ceremony held at the Tower Hall premises in Maradana this morning (11), under the patronage of Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.
The recruitment aims to strengthen the human resources of Sri Lanka’s free healthcare system and ensure efficient, quality and reliable healthcare services for patients.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the Government’s policy was to recruit individuals to the public service based on their qualifications and merit, without political influence. He noted that although political interference could easily occur in recruitment to Health Service Assistant positions, the appointments had been made through a formal and transparent process without allowing such interference.
Following the formation of the new Government, the Ministry of Finance approved the recruitment of 1,989 Health Service Assistants. Accordingly, appointments were granted in three phases: 627 recruits on July 4, 600 on July 18 and 762 on August 1.
Nearly 92,000 applications were received for these positions. Applicants were evaluated through a systematic assessment and marking process, while qualified candidates were also subjected to structured interviews to ensure selection based on merit and qualifications.
Addressing the newly appointed officers, the Minister said they had become members of the healthcare workforce, which comprises nearly 150,000 personnel. He emphasised that the healthcare system depended on the collective contribution and responsibility of every employee, from the Ministry Secretary to the staff serving in hospitals. Any failure in one area, he noted, could affect the continuous delivery of quality healthcare services expected by the public.
The Minister further stressed that all healthcare workers, including Health Service Assistants, had a responsibility to welcome patients with dignity and provide them with the necessary care and assistance. He urged the recruits to fulfil their duties with dedication, noting that the quality of services provided by every professional played an important role in maintaining public trust in the healthcare system.
He also commended Ministry officials for their efforts to fill existing vacancies in the health sector and expressed confidence that a significant number of pending recruitments would be completed before the end of this year.
The Minister emphasised that the newly appointed personnel also had a responsibility to change negative public perceptions of the public service. He said that building public confidence was not solely the responsibility of senior officials but depended on how every public servant performed their duties, interacted with the public and demonstrated commitment to service.
A special three-day training programme will be conducted for the newly appointed Health Service Assistants. Upon completion of the training, they are required to report for duty at their respective hospitals.
Additional Secretaries to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Janaka Kithsiri Gunawardena, Harshani Sitinamas and K. P. Yogachandra; Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena; Deputy Directors General, directors, Ministry officials, trade union representatives and parents of the appointees were also present at the ceremony.
