Local Govt role in development drive

Shirley Wijesinghe

A massive development drive could be witnessed countrywide through the efforts of Local Government bodies under the guidance of the Government, Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry Secretary Cassian Herath said.

The Ministry was ready to offer the financial assistance for backward local bodies to commence economically stable projects, Herath added. The Ministry Secretary was addressing the Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Forum of Local Government Heads recently.

Herath said the Ministry was able to offer sustainable solutions to the garbage problem within local bodies thus providing financial assistance and the technology except on the Colombo Municipal Council. Herath appreciated the service of the Canadian Local Government Forum to provide funds for activities of the Sri Lanka Forum of Local Government Heads.

According to sources of the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils, the total foreign funds, both grants and loans, received over the past four years exceeded more than Rs. 40 billion.