Kalutara district representatives were among those who gathered at Temple Trees yesterday (13 Jan) for an awareness programme on the Government’s Prajashakthi national programme, which aims to eradicate poverty and ensure economic justice through social empowerment.
The event also brought together community development representatives from Colombo and Gampaha, highlighting the nationwide rollout of the initiative that is now being implemented successfully across all districts.
The national “Prajashakthi” movement launched by the Government to eradicate poverty and ensure economic justice through social empowerment is now being implemented successfully across all districts of the country.
According to the President’s Office, approximately Rs. 180 billion has been allocated for rural development in the 2026 Budget Estimates and Budget Proposals. Community Development Councils established at the Grama Niladhari division level have therefore been entrusted with a special responsibility in the utilisation of these funds.
In each newly established Community Development Council, a representative of the Chairperson of the Divisional Coordination Committee has been appointed as Chairperson, while Economic Development Officers attached to the Grama Niladhari divisions have been redesignated as Social Empowerment Officers for this programme and officially assigned duties as Secretaries of the respective Community Development Councils. Each Community Development Council consists of 25 members, including the Chairperson, Secretary, other ex officio members, a Community Development Committee, a Community Representatives’ Group and a Strategic Group.
Accordingly, the Community Development Councils have now commenced identifying development proposals for the year 2026, prioritising them and preparing integrated village development plans incorporating those proposals.
The Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Upali Pannilage, attended the event as the Chief Guest. He spoke at length on how the Prajashakthi national movement could be used to eradicate multidimensional poverty in the country. He also explained the manner in which the President is directly involved in providing national leadership to ensure the success of the movement and to achieve its long-term objectives. In addition, he highlighted the necessity and potential of using the Community Development Council structure to eradicate poverty. He noted that this structure is based on the community participation approach accepted by almost all countries in the world.
The Minister stressed that poverty eradication cannot be achieved through isolated development projects or programmes alone and that a holistic approach is essential. He pointed out that such an approach must integrate all aspects, including the social environment, food security, human resource development, protection, the productive economy and supply chain management.
He further stated that he expects the Chairpersons, Secretaries and all members of the Community Development Councils to accept the challenge entrusted to them in a positive manner and to work towards achieving the relevant targets by making effective use of the funds allocated for rural development this year. He also expressed confidence that all stakeholders would actively contribute to overcoming the challenges faced by the country.
The Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Kapila Janaka Bandara, also addressed the gathering and discussed in detail the technical aspects essential for the implementation of this programme.
He further briefed the Chairpersons and Secretaries of the Community Development Councils of the Western Province on the procedures to be followed by the Councils, the importance of preparing integrated village development plans that represent the proposals and views of the entire community, as well as the identification of projects and the scientific prioritisation of those projects.
Members of Parliament Asitha Niroshana, Samanmali Gunasinghe and Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, the Secretary of the National People’s Power, Consultant Physician Dr Nihal Abeysinghe, the Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Mr Sampath Manthrinayake, along with senior officials of the Ministry and the Prajashakthi Secretariat, were also present at the event. (Newswire)