The Annual General Meeting of the Government Officers' Benefit Association, which has a long history of 114 years and consists of about 12,500 members holding officer-level positions in the public service, was held on 24 June 2023 at the Nawarangahala, Royal College, Colombo. First of all, I would like to congratulate all of you for electing me as the 25th Chairman of the G.O.B.A. for the 2023/2024 administrative year by the majority vote of the members in the official election held there.

 I entered the public service in 1991 after receiving my first appointment to the General Treasury. I became a member of the association the same year and a member of the governing committee in 2008. In 2015, I assumed the position of Vice President and have been active in the management committee for 15 years. I believe that the experience gained will be a great strength to guide the future activities of the association in the right direction by overcoming all obstacles/challenges.

Our association already operates various loan schemes at concessional interest rates as well as various grants like retirement/death/medical/scholarships for the members. To promote members' savings, 56.5% of the monthly membership contributions is directly used for member savings and the remaining amount is indirectly returned to the member through various funds. As well, accommodation facilities in resorts located in Kataragama and Anuradhapura as well as the pilgrimage to Dambadiva are provided to the members at discounted rates.

By the powers vested in me under the provisions of the Act as well as the rules of the Association, my sole aim is to continue the activities further by leading the staff of the association for the future development of the membership and the association with the support of the management committee formed by the composition of several groups.

Dear Members, you are the strength of G.O.B.A. I kindly request you to introduce new members and contribute by fulfilling your duties and responsibilities to protect this association for future generations.

Thank you all!

D.S.P. Dunusinghe

Chairman

Government Officers’ Benefit Association