Continuing as an Advisor to the Government on Productivity Promotion

In the previous article I reflected on the period in my career that shaped my thinking most profoundly, my tenure as Advisor on Productivity to the Ministry of Industrial Development stands out. It was a role I did not pursue.

- BY SUNIL G. WIJESINHA

"When Dr. Mahathir gives a deadline, it is met. Nobody dares to miss it."

Rather, it came to me because I wrote a newspaper article criticising the newly announced "National Productivity Year." Instead of reacting defensively, the Ministry invited me to “join and help,” a testament at least at that moment to our ability to convert criticism into constructive contribution.

I accepted immediately.

The idea of raising Sri Lanka's productivity was not merely interesting to me; it felt like a national necessity.

What unfolded was a chapter rich with lessons: some humorous, some sobering, and many instructive for any country hoping to rise on the strength of discipline, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

The Ministry Secretary soon felt that productivity awareness should begin at the uppermost layers of Government. He arranged for me to address the Development Secretaries, representing ministries central to national development. Their regular meeting was held at the Finance Ministry, and I arrived early to set up my laptop and projector.

One by one, the Secretaries walked in and eyed the setup with suspicion. Their expressions suggested that the last thing they wanted was an outsider lecturing them.

Their comments confirmed it:

"We already know what productivity is."

"This is unnecessary."

"We have a full agenda can you cut this down to a short presentation?"

What began as a 45-minute presentation was reduced to 30, then to 20. It was clear that enthusiasm was in short supply.

It reminded me of a Filipino productivity expert who once joked at a conference that when his presentation time was cut from 45 minutes to 20, he eliminated the content, removed the diagrams, and kept only the jokes. I did not dare adopt that strategy with this audience.