President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (18) commended Mahinda Siriwardana, the outgoing Secretary to the Treasury, for his exemplary public service, stating that it is the duty of public officials to help avert crises and contribute meaningfully to positive change.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the President particularly praised Siriwardana’s unwavering dedication and skill in guiding Sri Lanka’s economy through the challenging post-crisis recovery period, resulting in notable economic achievements.
President Dissanayake expressed his deep appreciation for Siriwardana’s invaluable contributions to the nation’s economic stabilisation and growth.
These remarks were made at a farewell ceremony held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat to mark Siriwardana’s retirement from his role as Secretary to the Treasury.
Addressing the gathering, the President highlighted the need to establish a new value system that places merit and integrity above materialism in an era where consumerism often overshadows genuine human values.
He emphasised that the country needs a public service guided by empathy and responsibility, rather than one tainted by corruption and excess. He further noted that public service should not be a detached bureaucracy but one that remains closely connected to the lives and needs of citizens, ensuring that policy decisions always take into account their human impact.
The President concluded by stating that young public officials have much to learn from the distinguished career of Mahinda Siriwardana—a senior public servant with extensive experience and deep insight into economic governance.
In his farewell address, Siriwardana described his three-year tenure as Secretary to the Treasury as the most significant period of his professional life. He thanked President Dissanayake for the continued trust and support, especially during the transition of political leadership. Siriwardana noted that the President’s confidence in him had been a key source of strength and asserted that Sri Lanka’s economic recovery would not have been possible without the President’s resilience, commitment, and leadership.
During the ceremony, President Dissanayake presented Siriwardana with a commemorative token in recognition of his exceptional service.
The event was attended by Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando; Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Chief Presidential Adviser on the Digital Economy Dr Hans Wijayasuriya; Senior Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs Duminda Hulangamuwa; other senior government officials; and Siriwardana’s family members, among other invited guests. (PMD)
