President Reviews Progress of “Prajashakthi” Movement
Of the LKR. 25, 000 million allocated under the 2026 Budget for the “Prajashakthi” National Poverty Alleviation Program, development projects valued at Rs. 23,000 million have already been approved and forwarded to District Secretaries for implementation.
The allocations have been directed towards projects prioritized by Community Development Councils in the areas of livelihood development, the production economy, and food security.
These details were shared during a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat, held under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to review progress to date under the “Prajashakthi” National Movement.
During the discussion, the President reviewed the progress of the program, which is being implemented as a flagship government initiative to eradicate rural poverty and uplift rural communities.
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining continuous follow-up on project implementation, the benefits generated, and the extent to which they contribute to improving people’s living standards.
Officials informed the President that 13,977 Community Development Councils have already been established at the Grama Niladhari Division level. The President was also briefed on the financial allocations provided to these councils.
The President was further informed of the measures taken to provide the necessary facilities to “Prajashakthi” units established at the Divisional Secretariat and District levels, with the objective of strengthening the information technology infrastructure for the implementation of the program.
Details were also presented on training programs currently underway across all 25 districts to raise awareness among officials attached to Community Development Councils.
Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Upali Pannilage, Deputy Minister, Wasantha Piyatissa, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Social Security and Community Empowerment, Sampath Manthrinayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Kapila Janaka Bandara, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, were also present at the discussion.