The President made these remarks addressing the staff of the Presidential Secretariat commencing work for the New Year yesterday (Jan. 04) amidst chanting of pirith by the of Maha Sanga.

He met the staff of the Presidential Secretariat and extended his good wishes for the New Year.

“The efficiency in fulfilling one’s responsibilities and the quality of the work are more important than the seniority of the service. You are working not for me, but for the country”, the President said.

He also pointed out that the Presidential Secretariat, the prime institution among public administrative institutions has a special responsibility to fulfill the expectations of the common people.

The President stated that some changes in the country were completed during the one year period after his election as the President. He commended the contribution of the staff of the Presidential Secretariat in this regard.

President Sirisena also said the state property and state resources should be used economically. “The staff of the Presidential Secretariat must be exemplary to the other state institutions as the main institution of the country’, he said.

Secretary to the President P. B. Abeykoon also participated in this occasion.