Local Government and Provincial Councils

- Multi achievements in programs:

Shirley Wijesinghe

In line with the Mahinda Chinthana , the Ministry of Local Government(MLPC)and Provincial Councils has been able to achieve its objectives through the plans and programs implemented by its various divisions and statutory boards.

The scope covered by the MLPC the activities ranging from supporting Provincial Councils and Local authorities for better governance of facilitating investment for various development sectors. The MLPC has achieved its target aimed at creating good governance through the following guidelines.

The Ministry strives to be known as an organization that responsive , friendly and courteous by making Provincial Councils and Local Authorities work effectively and efficiently.

With the intention of the above task MLPC is very keen to do things well and on time providing support for the benefit of them.

The services provided in that manner during past four years under the regime of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The MLPC achieved its targets through two statutory bodies namely Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance (SLILG) and Local Loans and Development Fund (LLDF). For the implementation of donor funded projects main project offices that have been established under the Ministry are Road Sector Development Project office and Provincial Roads Development Project and Solid Waste Management Centre.

Provision of Financial Assistance to Provincial Councils:

Provincial Councils are being provided with various financial grants to facilitate efficient and effective functioning of the devolution of power and decentralization of administration.

Rehabilitation of Provincial Roads:

MLPC has extensively supported the PC to improve the C,D and E class roads. The progress of the road sector development project funded by ADB is indicated in the following table.

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Rehabilitation of Northern and Eastern Province :

Ministry worked with very closely with the Northern Province to rehabilitate the various economic and social sectors including roads , electricity , community facilities, water supply and sanitation , health , human resources development and governance etc.

Under the coordination of the Ministry , three major projects had been launched in the Northern Province and Eastern Province. Those projects are North East Community restoration and Development projects and its extension project and conflict affected area rehabilitation projects. Ministry also worked with the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry to implement the 180 days crash program to restore the civil administration in the Eastern Province too.

Supporting Municipal Councils , Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas for the improvement of governance and services:

The MLPC has provided support to the Local Government sector of the country to improve their governance and delivery of services for the people. During the past four years of period the role of Commissioner of Local Government had become more development oriented with appointing them as Provincial Project Directors in the projects funded by Asian Development Bank and World Bank.

Establishment of the Solid Waste Management Centre:

The National Solid Waste Management Supporting Centre was established in 2007 for the first time in the history of Municipal Management in Sri Lanka. The Ministry has been able to address the waste problem of local bodies with the support of Japanese expertise. Under this program , Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to launch capacity upgrading project. JICA has agreed to establish Night Soil Treatment Units in 77 selected local authorities.

Upgrading Fire Services and Rescue Services:

A special response unit(SRU) has been established under the CMC fire brigade to provide specialized human and material resources to support first line response to large accidents and disasters in the country. The SRU had been equipped with specialized rescue material and response to major disasters.

Enhancement of Local Government Financing:

Local Loans and Development Fund (LLDF ) which is coming under the MLPC has been strengthened to provide credit facilities to Local authorities. Through the financial assistance of LLDF was able to provide more investment support for the improvement of Local Government infrastructure. With the support and recognition of the Ministry and other international donor agencies LLDF has been transformed in to a sole financial institution to release requires credit facilities to the Local authorities in the country.

Transparent and Accountable Local Governance Program (TALG):

The MLPC has extended its fullest cooperation to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the implementation of TALG program to improve the implementation of institutional capacity , planning and management of 35 Local Authorities. Under this program the selected Local Authorities were benefited very much. One of the remarkable outputs of the TALG is the establishment of Good Governance Resources Centres at district level including in the Eastern Province.

Supporting Backward Local Authorities:

Most of the Local Authorities in the country lack financial and technical capacities and infrastructure facilities to provide basic services to the people. Certain backward Local bodies were earmarked for special assistance in term of financing , management improvement and institutional support. About 40 backward Local Authorities have been identified for granting funds through the LLDF credit scheme . These funds will be released for feasibility project proposals submitted by the backward Local bodies.

Implementation of Mid Term Development proposals:

MLPC launched a very innovative support program to provide financial assistance for income generating projects of development oriented Local Authorities. Under this program , mid term development project proposals submitted by the Local Authorities are being under the LLDF.

As an impetus to Uthuru Wasanthaya:

MLPC actively entered to the “Uthuru Wasanthaya” crash development drive with essential development initiatives to accelerate the resettlement process and civil administration restoration in North. Arrangements have already been made to rehabilitate 34 Local bodies which were destroyed during the activities of LTTE terrorism in Northern Province.

Additionally, 71 auxiliary machineries have been provided by the

Ministry to 34 Local bodies in the North spending over Rs. 120 million.