The Committee on Public Accounts Oct:(21) emphasized the need for common subjects such as social services to be under one ministry.
This meeting was held to examine the present performance of the Department of Social Services and was chaired by the Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Tissa Vitarana. State Minister Dr. Sudarshani Punandupulle stated that it is essential that there be standardization in the scope of ministries. She also pointed out the need to set up institutions at the district level to work for disabled children.
The need for one particular institution for the purpose of regulating rehabilitation, training and socialization of drug addicts was also emphasized by the committee. The Chairman of the Committee stressed that the vacancies that have existed in the Department of Social Services for a long time should be filled expeditiously.
The Committee Members also stated that it is important for the Department of Social Services to work in coordination with the Provincial Department of Social Services. The Committee was of the view that the increase in vagrants had become a national problem and that there should be a proper program to solve the problem. The need for a joint program to address the matter was also taken into discussion.
The Committee was of the view that a lot of research has been done on this subject at the university level and it is very important for the Department of Social Services to obtain the findings of such research. Discussions were also held regarding the non-acquisition of 22 hectares of land belonging to 08 Vocational Training Centers under the Department of Social Services. The Committee sought information from the Department of Social Services regarding the lack of a national database to identify all persons with disabilities in the community. The Committee pointed out that the absence of such a system is also a serious obstacle to the formulation of national policies.
Although the Batticaloa Vocational Training Center was built at a cost of Rs. 121 million, the Committee paid special attention to the non-utilization of those buildings. Mr. Chandana Ranaweera Arachchi, Director of Social Services said that the activities of the center will commence soon.
The Committee also recommended that action be taken to recruit volunteering officers for the activities of the Department of Social Services in a systematic manner.
Hon. State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, Hon. Members of Parliament Tissa Attanayake, Niroshan Perera, Ashok Abeysinghe, Sivagnanam Shritharan, (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi, B.Y.G Ratnasekera, Weerasumana Weerasinghe, (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara, (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya wre present at the meeting held.
Sunethra Gunawardena, was appointed as Secretary to the State Ministry of Primary Health Care Epidemics and Covid Disease Control and a number of government official were also present.
