An Ombudsman to Hear Public Grievances

An office of the Ombudsman has been set up a the Presidential Secretariat to address inconveniences and/or distress caused to the people by public servants either through negligence or going beyond their position while exercising their administrative powers. A press release from the President’s Media Division states that S M Wickremasinghe, Retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police has been appointed as the Ombudsman. Mr. Wickremasinghe, the release states will also accept complaints regarding ‘large scale drug trafficking, which causes disruption to the civilian life, damages to the environment and any other illegal activity.’ The release adds that the Ombudsman will look into public grievances and complaints and provide speedy solutions.  Members of the public can submit their complaints to the Ombudsman in person, via the post, email or fax. The Ombudsman’s office is located on the 3rd Floor, Old Standard Chartered Bank Building, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1.  Its mailing address is “Ombudsman, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 1”. The public can also reach the office through telephone/ fax no. 011 2338073 or via e mail to ombudsman@presidentsoffice.lk.