Digitalization Program for Divisional Secretariats
Discussion on Digitalization Program for Local Authorities and Divisional Secretariats Chaired by the President
A progress review discussion on programs to digitalize local authorities and Divisional Secretariats, being implemented under the Government’s digital transformation program to ensure faster, more efficient, and transparent public services, was held at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (29) under the chairmanship of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The meeting included an extensive discussion on the “National Framework for the Digitalization of Local Authorities”, which the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government is currently developing.
The President instructed officials to identify the full range of functions a local authority must perform for citizens, distinguish between services that can and cannot be incorporated into the digital system, and examine whether the systems currently in operation cover all such services.
The meeting also discussed establishing a single national system covering the entire public service, instead of separate systems operated independently by different institutions. \
The President emphasized the need for the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government and the Ministry of Digital Economy to work in close coordination in this regard.
The President also instructed that three officers from the Ministry of Digital Economy be assigned to efficiently coordinate the further development of the national system operated under the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, while identifying shortcomings in existing systems and making the necessary amendments and improvements.
The meeting also discussed digital mechanisms developed to provide services to the public through local authorities, including rates payments, miscellaneous revenue payments such as charges for display boards and bookings of playgrounds and public halls, shop rentals, water bill payments, and obtaining various permits and licenses, as well as digital systems established to enable the public to obtain prompt solutions to their grievances.
Particular attention was also paid to how systems such as GovPay could be further developed through this program.
The digitalization process being implemented at Divisional Secretariat level was also discussed. More than 300 services currently provided by Divisional Secretariats have been identified, and the progress of networking services from the Grama Niladhari level through to the Divisional Secretariat and District Secretariat levels was also reviewed.
Attention was also focused on the digitalization process currently being implemented at Divisional Secretariats in the Polonnaruwa District. The meeting discussed successes and experiences related to activities such as paddy purchases and disaster relief.
The President instructed that, under the Divisional Secretariat Digitalization Program, the program should initially be implemented as a fully equipped model module based on one selected district, with all necessary facilities incorporated.
The meeting also discussed the “GovHR” digital system, which is being implemented to digitalize the entire process relating to public officers, from the date of their appointment until their retirement.
Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Adviser to the President on Digital Economy Hans Wijayasuriya, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy Waruna Sri Dhanapala, ministry secretaries and heads of relevant line agencies were among those present at the meeting.