Broader dialogue within administrative sector vital
President Calls for Plan to Transform Regional Administrative Units into Development Units
• Instructions Issued at 2027 Pre-Budget Discussion of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed officials to prepare a plan to transform regional administrative units into development-oriented units capable of achieving social and economic progress at the local level.
The President pointed out that although the country’s existing administrative system has been in place for several decades, many public issues remain unresolved. While the existing system could continue with minor amendments, he emphasized that the people expect a comprehensive transformation.
The President stressed that although such a transformation cannot be achieved overnight, it is important to begin by encouraging a broader dialogue within the administrative sector.
President Dissanayake made these remarks while participating in a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat to review the progress of projects implemented under the 2026 Budget allocations for the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government and to discuss proposals for the 2027 Budget.
The meeting included a comprehensive review of the progress of projects implemented under the Ministry’s Public Administration, Home Affairs, and Local Government Sectors. The discussion also covered future plans and proposals for the 2027 Budget relating to projects being implemented under the 2026 Budget allocations of Rs. 60,430.04 million in capital expenditure and Rs. 706,226.83 million in recurrent expenditure.
Special attention was given to the ongoing program to digitalize government institutions. The President instructed officials to conduct a study in the coming months on services provided to the public through District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats that could be delivered via digital platforms, and to submit a report on the findings.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of construction work at District Secretariat complexes in Ampara, Batticaloa, Kegalle and Polonnaruwa, as well as construction activities at Divisional Secretariat offices including Kalutara, Pitabeddara, Agunakolapelessa, Ratmalana, Kotte and Kolonnawa.
Officials from the Ministry of Finance informed the meeting that more than 2,000 underutilized government buildings currently exist across the country. In response, the President instructed officials to conduct a proper assessment of all existing construction projects and prioritize only those that are essential.
Projects implemented under the Provincial Councils and Local Government Sector, funded by government and foreign assistance, were also reviewed. Extensive discussions were held on the Greater Colombo Wastewater Management Project. The President instructed all relevant institutions to jointly prepare a comprehensive plan covering this project, which has been implemented intermittently since 2015, as well as the overall drainage system within the Colombo Municipal Council area.
The meeting also discussed the Local Loans and Development Fund, established in 1927 and currently operating under the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government.
The progress of rural small-bridge development projects implemented by local authorities was also reviewed. It was noted that Rs. 6,793 million is expected to be allocated for the development of rural small bridges during the 2026–2029 period. Projects implemented under the Rs. 1,050 million allocation provided for 2026 have achieved 29% progress. The President instructed officials to implement these projects more efficiently, taking into account the requirements of district coordination committees and the program’s importance.
Attention was also given to the activities of the Department of Pensions and the Department of Registration of Persons, with officials noting that approximately 750,000 individuals are currently receiving pension benefits.
The President also reviewed the progress of the program prepared to utilize former ministerial residences and official bungalows for economically productive purposes. He instructed officials to expedite these efforts to ensure that maximum benefit is derived from these public assets.
Issues affecting the functioning of local authorities were also discussed, including the provision of machinery, equipment, and facilities required for revenue-generating activities. The meeting also focused on strengthening the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government’s contribution to other public services, improving common facilities available to local authorities, and providing necessary training for newly recruited officers.
The discussion was attended by Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Ruwan Senarath, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government S. Aloka Bandara and officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.