Ministry to list officials absent on Hartal day

It is reported that the State Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to obtain details of officials who did not report for duty last Friday (06), when an island wide hartal was in operation.

According to the directives of the ministry secretary, a letter in this regard has been directed to all District Secretaries.

The letter states that attendance details at the level of District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats are to be filled in the format provided.

The State Ministry of Home Affairs has also requested to provide details of staff and non-staff officers separately.

However, the Association of Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divisional Secretaries of Sri Lanka has sent a letter to the Ministry secretary in this regard.

They have pointed out that no other ministry or department has obtained such information and it is problematic for only the State Ministry of Home Affairs is doing so.

The collective said over 95% of regional officials had not reported for work that day with some doing so as a part of TU action and others due to transportation difficulties.