The Long March..

The need for human resource training & development was not felt as an instrument for development in the pre independence colonial era, when administration was primarily concerned with the limited objectives of maintaining law and order, the collection of revenue and the provision of basic infrastructure and the maintenance of essential public utilities in a relatively stable society.

After independence the growth of government activities became more of demand in a multi cultural, multi ethnic, multi linguistic society. This shift required competent, capable, qualified, human resources with an attitude to serve the nation. Only proper training could provide this. The main function of the General Treasury was to formulate and maintain Government Financial Procedures and Administrative Procedures.

Public Service Training in Sri Lanka

In October 1949 the Government of Ceylon (now  Sri Lanka) decided to create and establish a new unit named as the Organization and Methods unit (popularly known as the O & M division of the Treasury) for the benefit of Public service, under the Ministry of Finance on the recommendations made by the Balliol - Scott Report (1951). The Report firmly stated that a Central O & M Unit in the British pattern to be established for the benefit of the public services and this to be located in the General Treasury.
Main functions that the division undertook were 

1. To investigate the organization and operation methods of government   departments and recommend improvement. 

2. Staff training.
Staff training in the public service started on a small scale when O & M was introduced in to the public service in 1951. A training authority comes into being in the Government Treasury headed by a Training Officer.

3. Induction Training
In addition to training the clerical grade and office supervisors, the unit also provided programs of Induction Training for new entrants to the Ceylon Civil Service (CCS) and the Divisional Revenue Officers Service(DRO).

Establishment of Public Service Training Center

In 1957 Public Service Training Center was established. This Center was under the O & M division. The Center conducted many training programs for public servants.

The center also conducted short-term management courses for departmental officers in the administrative grades and for technical and professional grades. The main activity was to conduct short training programs for the new recruits to the Ceylon Administration Service (CAS) and Divisional Revenue Officers Service(DRO) probationers.

Need for an Independent Training Institute

It was felt that the training need of the public service could only be met by organizing a training Institute outside the Ministries and Departments, which would specialize in conducting training programmes. To meet these demands the Academy of Administrative Studies was established as the executive arm of the Division of Administrative Training of the Treasury.
The O & M division eventually became the Management Services Division of the Ministry of Public Administration (popularly known as MSD of PA) in 1970.

The Academy of Administrative studies

The Academy of Administrative studies was established in March 1966  based on recommendations of the 1961 Wilmot Perera Report and the 1965 Committee for Administrative Reforms report.

The Crest

The incorporation of the picture of the ancient statue believed to be that of King Parakramabahu bearing "the yoke of responsibility" symbolized the objective of the Academy that believed the ideal public servant would endeavor at all times to live up to the responsibility that he or she has accepted. Thus the motto of the organization became "Learning confers Discipline".

The Academy was temporally housed at No 32 Glen Aber Place, Colombo-4, where four residential flats were adjusted to provide two lecture halls, syndicate room, a library and an administrative office on 1st October 1966. The Library had a collection of about 900 volumes.

The Academy at Longdon Place

 On 18th November 1969 the Academy was declared opened in a 2.5 acres block of land at 28/10, Longdon Place, Colombo - 7 to house the Academy. The New building was to include a three-storied structure with classrooms, auditorium and other facilities to provide training for about 150 public servants at that time.

The Changes after becoming Sri Lanka

In 1970 the academy underwent significant changes in direction when the Government set up a new Ministry for Public Administration, Home Affairs and Local government. A department of Public Administration was established under this Ministry similar to the Civil service Department set up in Britain. The functions of Establishments and Personal traditionally performed by the Ministry of Finance was regrouped under the new Ministry.

In 1975 the Secretary Ministry of Public Administration proposed setting up a new organization with the name " Sri Lanka Center for Development Administration". This involves the amalgamation of the Academy and the Management Services division. But this did not take place due to the cabinet re-shuffle that took place in July 1975.

Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration

 on 29th October 1979, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, by Circular No 149 directed that the Academy be renamed as the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration. The circular further said that the amalgamation of the Academy and the Management Services division and all other changes mentioned in the Navaratne, Neil Fernando Report on restructuring should be effective from 1st November 1979.

Corporate Status

The Institute gained corporate status by SLIDA Act of Parliament No 9 of 1982.

Mission of SLIDA

To facilitate the development of an efficient, effective and forward-looking public service through the provision of training, consultancy and research.

Aim

To Build a centre of innovation in Public Administration learning to improve institutional and managerial performance.

Residential and other facilities at SLIDA

The residential center of the Institute has fully furnished and equipped single rooms for 60 participants. In addition to the normal lecture rooms, SLIDA's training facilities include two air-conditioned auditoriums, one air-conditioned board room, five air-conditioned class rooms, three computer laboratories and an audio-visual studio with modern facilities.

All the activities of SLIDA are fully computerized and are connected by a LAN network.

Future Scope at SLIDA

SLIDA is planning to expand its activities through the establishment of Regional training Centers at the sub national capitals i.e. the provincial capitals. SLIDA also envisages applying the distance-learning mode at these centers.