The United National Party (UNP) today voiced concern over the politicizing of the country’s public service sector and the alleged move to militarize the education system.

The government’s today boasts that the public service is evolving and that state employees are being recruited in large numbers, UNP MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.

“We would like to ask whether state employees can engage in public services while maintaining their dignity and living standards,” he said.

He charged that the ruling UPFA government has turned public services into a political movement.  

He stated that the 17th Amendment to the Constitution had brought forth regulations necessary to protect the dignity, independence and democracy of state employees, through the establishment of a Independent Public Service Commission, Independent Police Commission and Independent Elections Commission.

However, the Rajapaksa government brought the 18th Amendment in order to destroy the dignity, independence and democracy of public servants and privatize the public service, Madduma Bandara said.

The entire public service has been turned into a political movement. Government employees now have to work according to the agendas of politicians instead of serving the people, he stressed.   

The MP stated that by the time state employees collect their monthly wages they are already indebted and that the only thing they do with their salary is payoff loans.

And from the following week they have to take loans again, he pointed out, adding, that this has become the way of life for state employees.

The United National Party demanded that an immediate wage increase for employees in the public sector.