Symposium on leading practices in Local Governance

COLOMBO: Over 1,000 representatives from National, Provincial and Local Governments, the private sector, NGOs and donor agencies convened in Colombo for the second Annual National Symposium on Leading Practices in Local Governance.

Hosted by the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils. the programme was sponsored by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Transparent Accountable Local Governance (TALG) programme.

Over the past two and a half years, the USAID has supported the TALG programme to strengthen local governance and developed effective models and practices in 35 local authorities in six provinces.

It has also helped to document and widely disseminate these practices, so that the models may be replicated throughout country, states a US Embassy press release.

As part of Local Government Week, the two-day event, held recently at the BMICH, provided a venue to celebrate successes, share experiences and discuss leading practices in local governance as well as built political will and senior administrative support at the local authority level.

“USAID is very pleased to sponsor this event as it is an excellent opportunity to showcase and promote the sharing of best practices that can lead to the kind of good governance that is desired by the Government and citizens of Sri Lanka,” said USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn.

“As the level of Government closest to the people, the local authorities are well positioned to make sure that basic services respond to citizens’ priorities and meet the needs of the community’s poor and disadvantaged groups.”

The symposium included panel sessions, exhibit booths, and awards ceremonies focused on innovative and practical approaches to service delivery, leadership, management and planning, citizen participation, financial management, local economic development and policy reform.

“Our local authorities should be more responsive, community oriented and efficient and people’s participation should be promoted in the decision making process,” said the Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils Janaka Bandara Tennakoon in achieving these objectives, this symposium has rendered an invaluable service.”