Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has questioned the legality of delegating spending powers over state funds to political candidates and their representatives by appointing them as chairmen of Praja Shakthi Committees. 

He warned that these committees, which now decide on Samurdhi, roadworks, and local projects, shift control away from neutral public servants to politically aligned figures. 

“This raises serious concerns about impartiality, accountability, and the misuse of public resources. Does this comply with constitutional principles on delegation of powers and public finance?” de Silva asked, in a post on ‘X’.

MP Harsha de Silva further called for clarity and safeguards to protect state institutions from politicization.

The Opposition MP made the inquiries during a recent session of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF).  (Newswire)

The post Harsha de Silva questions legality of political control over state funds appeared first on Newswire.

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has announced its opposition to the government’s “Prajashakthi” programme.

ITAK media spokesperson and former MP, M.A. Sumanthiran, pointed out that this is a mechanism carried out based on a political party.

He noted that it operates in parallel to the state machinery and sets a wrong precedent.

The former MP further stated that development activities, which should be carried out by elected local government representatives, are instead being undertaken through the “Prajashakthi” programme, thereby obstructing the functions of those institutions.

He emphasized that the program is contrary to the Constitution and added that legal action will be taken against it in the future. (Newswire)

The post ITAK opposes Govt’s ‘Prajashakthi’ program appeared first on Newswire.

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)

The post Kalutara representatives briefed on Govt’s Rs. 180B Prajashakthi drive appeared first on Newswire.

The Government has allocated Rs. 01 Million each to all District Secretariat Offices and Divisional Secretariat Offices across the island under the ‘Praja Shakthi’ National Programme. 

According to the President’s Office, this funding is for the procurement of necessary information technology hardware and services, including laptops and computers, as well as for building the related capacity of officers. 

A key ambition of the present government is to modernise the public service to enable the delivery of a more efficient and higher quality service to the public. Consequently, efforts are currently in progress to establish a public service that utilizes digital technology, thereby replacing outdated methodologies and equipment. Furthermore, the government’s expectation is to gradually extend this programme to the entire system of public institutions in all parts of the island, not limiting it to Colombo alone. 

Accordingly, the ‘Praja Shakthi’ National Programme, together with the Ministry of Digital Economy, has arranged for the provision of Rs. 369 million to modernise the district and regional administrative mechanisms. In this manner, this is the first instance where funds have been directly allocated for the development of regional information technology capabilities. Moreover, the government expects to increase the level of direct investment required to enhance the use of information technology in government institutions and to allocate funding for it annually from the budget. 

Furthermore, it is expected that management activities, such as identifying suitable development project proposals to be implemented under the ‘Praja Shakthi’ National Programme and reviewing the progress of those respective projects, will be carried out through a digital platform. The information technology system required for this was launched recently. Through this, the government aims to efficiently implement its rural and regional development programmes and to operate them with transparency, making it accessible to the people. (Newswire)

The post Govt allocates Rs. 1 Mn under ‘Praja Shakthi’ programme appeared first on Newswire.

The government has requested District Secretaries to bring forward new ideas and proposals to advance the government’s Prajashakthi initiative as a comprehensive national programme. 

Secretary to the President, Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, made the request, while highlighting the significant responsibility entrusted to District Secretaries in ensuring the success of the Prajashakthi programme. 

The request was made during a district-level progress review meeting on the government’s flagship development programmes, currently underway, including the national Prajashakthi initiative, which is being implemented as a key programme of the present government to strengthen communities and ensure the fair distribution of economic benefits within society.

The meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday was chaired by the Secretary to the President, Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, with the participation of District Secretaries.

At the meeting, extensive discussions were held regarding the manner in which the Prajashakthi programme is being implemented at the district level and its future plans. It was emphasised that rather than making Prajashakthi another poverty-alleviation initiative, the programme must be advanced in alignment with the national drive to build a prosperous country, integrating the entire state machinery towards this goal. 

Responding to the issues raised by District Secretaries, officials pointed out that in future, all district-level government development projects should originate from the development committees at the village level. Therefore, instead of merely identifying projects that fit within allocated budgetary limits, priority should be given to projects based on actual need, with funds allocated by the relevant ministries, departments, provincial councils and local authorities accordingly. 

It was noted that this approach would ensure that development allocations are channelled towards central objectives, rather than being dispersed across multiple fragmented purposes. Another special feature of the programme is that it also provides an opportunity for the private sector, which is expected to contribute to rural development, to engage within this framework. 

Highlighting the significant responsibility entrusted to District Secretaries in ensuring the success of the Prajashakthi programme and delivering its benefits to the people, the Secretary to the President requested them to bring forward new ideas and proposals to advance the initiative as a comprehensive national programme. 

The discussion also reviewed new directives relating to the implementation of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, as well as progress of other government programmes including the Mid-Year Budget Programme, District Development Programmes, the Rural Roads Development Programme, Estate Community Infrastructure Development Programme, Disaster-Resilient Housing Programme in plantation areas, improvement of facilities for identified schools and sports schools, establishment of district-level committees to address human-elephant conflict, and initiatives targeting persons with special needs/disabilities. 

Attention was further drawn to the progress of government programmes aimed at improving healthcare, education and the living standards of the people, as well as the targeted programme to reduce poverty in the country by 2030. Discussions were also held on measures to decentralise the functions of the President’s Fund. 

It was agreed that, in future, when reviewing progress of government development programmes, inputs should be obtained both from the relevant line ministries and from District Secretaries. 

The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Sampath Manthrinayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, Local Government, S. Aloka Bandara; Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Kapila Janaka Bandara; Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage; Legal Adviser to the President, Attorney-at-Law J.M. Wijebandara; Additional Secretary to the President (Clean Sri Lanka Programme), Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara; Director General of the National Budget Department, Jude Nilukshan; and Additional Secretary to the President (Food Security and Policy), N. Wanasingha, among others. (Newswire)

The post Govt’s Prajashakthi poverty-alleviation initiative reviewed appeared first on Newswire.