It was a rare opportunity for the residents of Kalmunai and Attalachenai to get a taste of efficient service by government agencies at the exhibitions jointly organized by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) and the Divisional Secretariats of the two divisions.
Thousands of residents thronged the Christa Illam Hall in Kalmunai and Al Munira Girl’s High School in Attalachenai for the exhibitions held on 20th and 22nd October 2011. They were seen seeking the services of public officials to obtain identity cards, passports and information relating to foreign employment and pensions.
Staff members of the two Divisional Secretariats had a busy time answering queries and providing numerous services to the public.
The stalls manned by officials of the Department of Registration of Persons, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Foreign Employment Bureau and the Department of Pension were being ‘invaded’ throughout the day. CIABOC and several international agencies present in Sri Lanka also had stalls. Visitors found material exhibited at the stalls interesting and were seen spending time studying them.
TISL, which had the biggest stall attracted large crowds. It was a novel experience for the visitors to the stall where the display materials highlighted TISL work relating to anti-corruption and governance. Copies of ‘Puravasi Athwela’ – People’s Handbook outlining the services provided by DS offices were distributed free to the visitors. .
People thanked TISL for the opportunity given to them to obtain services without travelling to Colombo and facing many hardships.
In addition to the exhibition, the People’s Platforms also attracted huge crowds who watched several presentations and also confronted the officials on matters affecting them.