Getting from dysfunctional government to e(ffective) government: mapping a path in Sri Lanka*

Abstract

The objective of e(ffective) government must be the delivery of citizen-centric government services of all forms – informational, interactive, and transactional – to all citizens (and relevant others) irrespective of where they live as well as the effective involvement of the citizen in governance. The desired government services do not overlap with the government activities that exist today but are constituted by the essential core that remains after reengineering, right-sizing, and focusing government in a way that would meet citizens′ needs more effectively. This is important because most developing-country governments fall short of the mark on the costeffective delivery of citizen-centric government services; many fail dismally.