Questions raised over recruitment practices at NHDA

By The Pulseline News Desk

Fresh concerns over public sector recruitment practices have emerged after the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) recently revealed that many employees had been recruited to the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) without undergoing formal interviews.

The revelations had surfaced during a recent COPE meeting held in Parliament under the chairmanship of ruling party member of parliament (MP) Nishantha Samaraweera, where officials were questioned over staffing irregularities and administrative practices within the authority.

According to information presented before the committee, many individuals recruited through these procedures are currently serving in various positions within the NHDA and continue to receive salary increments, promotions and other employment benefits despite concerns over the legality and transparency of their appointments.

COPE members were informed that some former ministers had recruited employees in large numbers during previous administrations, bypassing standard recruitment procedures that normally require structured interviews and competitive selection processes.

The committee had also heard that a number of these appointments had reportedly been justified on the basis of political victimisation, with Cabinet approval allegedly granted for certain recruitments.

Despite the large-scale hiring, officials had revealed that the NHDA still has more than 700 vacancies, raising further questions about workforce planning and institutional management within the state agency.

When questioned by the committee chairman regarding the contradiction, an NHDA official had explained that the situation had arisen largely due to a significant number of employees retiring simultaneously over recent years.

The disclosures have once again drawn attention to longstanding concerns surrounding political influence in state-sector recruitment and the burden placed on public institutions through irregular appointments.

Public sector analysts note that politically linked recruitment drives have historically contributed to inefficiencies, financial strain and administrative complications across several state institutions. Critics argue that such practices weaken merit-based governance while increasing recurrent expenditure through salaries and pension liabilities.

The COPE Committee, which is tasked with examining the financial and administrative performance of state institutions, has in recent months intensified scrutiny of public bodies amid broader calls for accountability and reform within the public sector.

The revelations surrounding the NHDA are expected to fuel further debate over public service recruitment standards and the need for stronger safeguards to ensure transparency, merit-based appointments and institutional efficiency.