Advanced Training and Development for Master Trainers program is a good step that has been taken by Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) aimed at better public service, said the SLIDA Governing Council Chairman and Public Administration and Home Affairs Secretary P B Abeykoon addressing the inauguration ceremony of the program.

Such projects are consistent with President Mahinda Rajapaksa's vision for the future as enunciated by the Mahinda Chinthana, the Secretary said.

The main objective of this program is to create a new training culture in collaboration with the Singapore Civil Service College, the Singapore Co-financing of the Temasek Foundation and the Sri Lankan Government.

This is a pioneering initiative and a rare opportunity for the improvement of the public sector training capacity.

It also provides an opportunity for national and provincial level trainers to reach contemporary global training standards said SLIDA Director B Wijayaratne. The project is designed on two key initiatives. One is a 12 day Advanced Training and Development Program offered for 25 Master Trainers selected from the SLIDA faculty and public officers from district level training institutes.

The second is a study visit program organized for outstanding Master trainers for an exposure on Training and Development practiced in Singapore. Further, another 475 trainers will be trained. Those interested individuals were selected through newspaper advertisements and other district trainers on the recommendation of their respective Heads of Divisions.

On completion of the training, Mater Trainers will engage themselves in training 475 other trainers. In this task the Master Trainers will be divided into five groups and each group will conduct five day training programs for a class of about 25 trainers.

By this these individuals will be able to conduct training programs with competence, confidence and acceptance, the Director added.