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)

The post President directs provinces to cut costly project offices, deliver results faster appeared first on Newswire.

A range of new projects for the 2025 financial year have been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, a flagship government initiative aimed at fostering  “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life”

A progress review meeting for these projects, which are being implemented by various ministries and their respective departments, corporations, boards and institutions, was held yesterday (17 June) at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The following are the proposed projects under the Clean Sri Lanka programme;

1. A plan to operate 10 purpose-built buses for people with special needs from Panadura, Kadawatha and Avissawella to the National Hospital in Colombo. This initiative, a collaboration with the Sri Lanka Transport Board, marks the first time such a service will be implemented in the country.
2. Plans to create a virtual city centred around Kandy, expected to be completed within a year. This pilot project will also encompass the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic premises and is estimated to cost Rs. 50 million.
3. To attract both local and international tourists, a three-day cultural festival showcasing the cultural values of all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka is being planned for Colombo. This event is scheduled to take place at 16 locations, including Galle Face Green.
4. Plans to construct 500 standardised and modern public toilets in tourist areas, with an allocated budget of Rs. 525 million.
5. A sustainable programme is also underway to secure international Blue Flag certification for two of the country’s main coastal zones within two years. Unawatuna and Hirikatuwa beaches have been proposed for this, and over 450 beach custodians are to be appointed under this project, with 250 already receiving their letters of appointment.
6. A nationwide wastewater disposal project is being implemented at a cost of Rs. 300 million, aiming to maintain the cleanliness and upkeep of urban canals and waterways. Separately, a Rs. 100 million programme has commenced for the sustainable maintenance of the general canal system in Colombo.
7. A pilot project to minimise water pollution in the Mahaweli River is also being conducted in its upper reaches.
8. A project to provide compost dump bins to local government authorities, costing Rs. 500 million, is also underway. In the first phase, Rs. 150 million worth of bins will be distributed, also within this year.
9. A road safety programme, costing Rs. 120 million, is already in motion, with the objective of reducing the daily number of road accidents. 
10. Attention is also being given to establishing several model villages across the island to prevent anti-social behaviour, including drug abuse.

The meeting also included extensive discussions on the successful completion of these projects to ensure the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme’s objectives are achieved at both ministerial and institutional levels.

Mr. G.M.R.D. Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President at the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat and Mr. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, along with secretaries and other senior officials representing various ministries, attended the discussion. (Newswire)

The post 10 new projects planned under “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative appeared first on Newswire.

Efforts have been made to restart several projects with Japan and China that had been previously suspended, based on the government’s economic policies, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. 

President Dissanayake said 11 economically significant projects that were previously halted by the Japanese government and 76 projects that had been suspended by the Chinese government will be restarted. 

The President made these remarks while attending the 26th Anniversary of the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) held in Colombo yesterday.

President Dissanayake stated that the government is committed to providing the necessary support to secure a share for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in the global market.

He highlighted that the government has a strong strategic plan to facilitate access to international markets by integrating diplomats and entrepreneurs into a unified process.

The President further stated that this year’s budget has been designed to create a more dynamic and flexible economy, replacing the stagnant economic conditions of the past.

Noting that allowing greater economic mobility would enable the country to achieve a certain level of development, he said accordingly, the budget has been structured in a way that does not cause major economic shocks.

The President also emphasized that the current government remains sensitive to economic decision-making, ensuring that policies do not place an unbearable burden on the Sri Lankan Rupee. 

He also acknowledged that certain decisions had to be made in alignment with recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

President Dissanayake revealed that the current government has taken the necessary and correct decisions to restore confidence in an economy where trust had previously collapsed. As a result, the country, which was officially declared bankrupt, has now been able to overcome its state of bankruptcy.

The President emphasized that his government ensures every rupee spent is treated as a public trust and utilized with the highest level of responsibility.

The current government has already taken significant steps to provide economic stability, creating a more secure environment for investors. As a result, the government has been able to facilitate large-scale investments in renewable energy, including the construction of a 50-megawatt wind power plant in Mannar, he said.

The President also highlighted that a business-friendly environment has been established where investors can operate without having to pay any commissions.

Furthermore, he stated that the government is prepared to empower young entrepreneurs, not only within Sri Lanka but also by providing them with the strength to expand into international markets.

“We have built the strongest and most politically stable administration in Sri Lanka,” President Dissanayake said, pointing out that, in past parliaments, it was common for MPs representing the opposition to later join the government and vice versa. 

However, he emphasized that such a situation does not exist in the current parliament, where there is a clear distinction between the government and the opposition, describing this as a strong example of political stability.

President Dissanayake also remarked that a model political system has now been established in Sri Lanka, assuring that, by the end of the current administration’s tenure, there would be no room for a destructive political climate to re-emerge. (Newswire)

The post Govt to restart 11 Japanese and 76 Chinese projects previously suspended – President appeared first on Newswire.

The government has decided to suspend the “National Peoples Council”, which was set up by the former regime to strengthen participatory democracy.

Steps have also been taken by the government to terminate the services of the officers and consultants appointed on a contract basis for three projects of the previous government. 

According to the new administration, a Cabinet decision has been taken to terminate the services of the said officers with effect from 30-09-2024.

The officers/consultants were appointed on a contract basis for the “Office for the Affairs of Sri Lankans Abroad” established under the President’s Office, the “National Peoples Council”, and the “Agriculture Modernization Program”.

As there is potential to implement the operations expected from those offices and programs from the relevant Ministries, action has been taken by the President to terminate the service of the officers/consultants appointed on a contract basis for this purpose by the previous government. 

Confirming the Cabinet decision on the National Peoples Council, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said that the Council was currently not required as the same services are being conducted through the Divisional Secretariats and relevant ministries at grassroots levels.

“The National People’s Secretariat is not deemed necessary at the moment. There already exists a system which is being implemented by the Divisional Secretariats and at the village level. The Cabinet of Ministers decided to suspend this programme as it is not necessary,” he said.  (Newswire)

The post New Govt to abolish several of Ranil’s projects appeared first on Newswire.

A total of 13 suspended projects by Japan, worth US$1.1 billion, are set to resume following successful talks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry said

Addressing a press conference at the Presidential Media Centre, the Foreign Minister said that his recent visits to Japan, Singapore, Romania, and Poland have been highly successful and have contributed to strengthening Sri Lanka’s foreign policy.

Minister Sabry said these trips addressed many longstanding issues, including the resumption of stalled Japanese projects in Sri Lanka.

Additionally, discussions with Singapore focused on investments, while talks with Romania aimed at creating new job opportunities, he said.

The Foreign Minister further said that Sri Lanka also engaged in discussions with Poland regarding the establishment of an embassy.

“Coordinating with various countries proved to be a complex task, but we successfully garnered their support for debt restructuring—a significant achievement in our foreign policy. This success is largely due to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s expertise in managing international relations,” he added. (Newswire)

The post Japan to resume 13 suspended projects – FM appeared first on Newswire.

A delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development, headed by Eng. Mohammad Al-Masoud, Director of Operations for Central and West Asia, is currently on a visit to Sri Lanka.

The visit is being undertaken in order to follow up on the ongoing development projects which are funded by the Saudi Fund for Development.

The delegation met with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry for a discussion, while the Saudi Ambassador to Sri Lanka Khalid Hamoud Alkahtani, also participated in the meeting.

The Saudi Fund delegation also met with officials of Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry to review the projects.

Since the beginning of its development activities in Sri Lanka, the Saudi Fund for Development has contributed to financing 12 projects in the sectors of water, energy, health, roads and education, amounting to around 424.7 million US Dollars. (NewsWire)

The post Saudi Fund delegation in SL to review projects appeared first on Newswire.