President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has stressed the importance of close coordination and joint action between the central government and provincial institutions in the implementation of development projects. 

The President emphasised that the culture of using provincial institutions merely as instruments for political authority to retain power has been brought to an end under the present government.

He further highlighted the need for the central government and provincial institutions to work in unison towards a national plan for the country’s development. 

The President made these remarks during a meeting held yesterday (11) at the Presidential Secretariat to review issues that have arisen between the central government and provincial institutions in the course of implementing development projects, to assess projects being carried out under the 2025 provincial budget allocations and to hold preliminary discussions regarding the budget for 2026.

Special focus was placed on challenges encountered in implementing projects in sectors such as education, health and highways, with discussions also covering possible solutions and proposals. 

The President instructed Provincial Governors and Chief Secretaries that, going forward, projects funded through foreign loans and aid should not be carried out through special project offices that require large administrative expenditures. 

Instead, they should be implemented within the existing administrative structure, completed within the stipulated timeframes and the benefits delivered directly to the people. 

Attention was also drawn to plans for improving the school system. Officials were directed to visit schools at the zonal level, conduct close studies and present the most suitable solutions to ensure quality education for all children. 

The meeting was attended by Provincial Governors, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration S. Aloka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Russel Aponsu and Kapila Janaka Bandara, Ministry Secretaries and Chief Secretaries, as well as senior officials of the Ministry of Finance. (Newswire)

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the Provincial Governors to submit a fresh proposal to regulate the Provincial Council mechanism.

The President issued these instruction during a meeting held with Governors this morning, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. 

Given the current government’s transitional period, the provincial councils must strive to deliver the best possible services to improve the living conditions of the people, the President said. 

Urging the Governors to make all possible economic and social interventions to improve the living conditions of the public, the President noted of the importance of establishing a new political culture.

President Dissanayake also reminded the Governors to avoid previous poor practices in the use of state assets and to remain committed to delivering quality public service.

Attention was drawn to existing vacancies in the health and education sectors under the Provincial Councils, with decisions made to find viable solutions, the PMD said.

The meeting included discussions on the lands in the Northern and Eastern provinces as well as finance, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the President also made inquiries about the allocation of land to farmers in Kantale. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the development of a novel approach aimed at optimizing the operations of the Local Council, Provincial Council, and Central Government sectors, all geared towards curbing financial inefficiencies. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the President directed officials to devise this new mechanism, placing a distinct emphasis on the efficacy of these three entities.

Furthermore, President Wickremesinghe instructed officials to collaborate with Provincial Governors and Chief Secretaries in order to draft a comprehensive report on this matter within a month. These consultations are intended to ensure a well-rounded perspective before formulating the new approach.

These assertions were made during a recent meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, where President Wickremesinghe engaged with Provincial Governors and Chief Secretaries. The purpose of this assembly, held yesterday (17) was to deliberate on the forthcoming administrative procedures associated with the provincial council system.

Expressing his views further, the President said; “Today, I’ve gathered all of you to engage in a discussion about the governance framework associated with the empowerment of Provincial Councils. Our focus needs to be on how to progress in this direction while also considering the administrative structure of the central government.

“In certain instances, identical services are delivered by the three different tiers of administration: the Local Council, the Provincial Council, and the Central Government. Take, for instance, tasks like drain maintenance, electric pole installation, and road construction. Unfortunately, this redundancy results in significant financial wastage. If this is indeed the case, it becomes imperative to establish a fresh mechanism that centres around the coordination of these three entities.

“I have recommended the formulation of a novel system within a month’s time, following consultations with the Provincial Chief Secretaries. This step is crucial since the provincial councils are presently non-operational and bereft of ministers. Consequently, you, the Provincial Governors, hold complete governing authority within the current provincial council system,” he said.

The President went on to note, “The previous year posed considerable challenges for us, an experience I believe we need not relive. As we strive to tackle the economic predicaments of the nation, our efforts must also encompass the restoration of the country’s governance structure.

“Of notable significance is that grassroots services are overseen by the provincial councils, while district-level services fall under the purview of the central government. It’s essential that these undertakings progress harmoniously, without competing with each other, as we endeavour to offer these services jointly.

“The food security program has now been successfully rolled out across the entire nation. As a result, we are optimistic about a bountiful harvest in the upcoming season. Despite a decrease in the prevalence of malnutrition among the population compared to last year, we mustn’t become complacent.

“It’s worth noting that the Aswasuma program played a pivotal role in reducing malnutrition among the citizens of our country. The advantages stemming from the Aswasuma initiative extend beyond mere prosperity,” he said.

Stating that given that the parliamentary session will continue until the close of the next year, the President said it is essential to extend the opportunity for parliamentarians to engage in local government matters. “Additionally, plans are underway to establish a dedicated advisory committee that will collaborate closely with the governor.

“Simultaneously, we are also addressing the powers of provincial councils as outlined in the 13th Amendment of the constitution. Notably, a special emphasis has been placed on enhancing education, professional training endeavours, and the establishment of new universities in each respective province.

“To bolster the growth of the tourism industry, there are intentions to establish tourism boards at the provincial level. It’s also pertinent to mention that numerous programs aimed at incentivizing investors and entrepreneurs are anticipated to be implemented at the provincial level in the future,” he added.

Also speaking during the meeting, Secretary to the President, Saman Ekanayake expressed his anticipation for the backing of the Presidential secretariat in addressing the challenges confronted by Provincial Councils in their interactions with the Central Government.

During the discourse, the provincial governors in attendance conveyed to the President the urgent requirement to promptly fill teacher vacancies within their respective provincial council jurisdictions. 

They noted the presence of surplus teachers in certain schools, juxtaposed with teacher shortages in others. In response, they sought the implementation of a teacher exchange program to rectify this imbalance.

Highlighting the issue of incomplete two-story buildings constructed under the “the best school is the nearest school” concept, the governors emphasized instances of building deterioration and appealed for the formulation of a suitable program to address this concern.

The governors also drew attention to stalled development projects for which allocations had been designated. Regrettably, the funds for some of these projects were still pending.

In addition to these matters, the Provincial Governors made a request to the President to facilitate opportunities for advancing the tourism industry at the provincial level. (NewsWire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed three new Provincial Governors today (May 17).

The three new Governors were sworn in at the Presidential Secretariat before the President.

P.S. M. Charles, who served as the Northern Province Governor in 2019, has once again been sworn in as the Governor of the Northern Province. 

Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) Leader Senthil Thondaman was sworn in as the Governor of the Eastern Province. 

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) member Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has been sworn in as the Governor of the North Western Province. 

The appointments come after the President removed Jeevan Thiagarajah (Northern Governor), Anuradha Yahampath (Eastern Governor), and Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda (North Western Governor) from their posts on Monday (May 15). (NewsWire)

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