Secretary to the ministry of public administration, local government and democratic governance J. Dadallage has sent the circular.

Issued with the intention of ensuring a speedy and quality service to the people, the circular also instructs state servants not to obtain leave, other than on very essential occasions, and not to organize meetings, workshops and other functions on the public day on Wednesday.

It also instructs them to respond to letters from the public within a week of receipt and to send the final letter resolving the relevant matters within four weeks.

The circular also wants responding letters sent in the same language that of the letter received by the public, and to include the motto ‘committed to serve you’ in the end.

Official functions should be simple, it says, while the ministry has taken steps to appoint an officer to every state institution to inquire into public grievances.