Gam and Jana Sabhas to limelight

Rafik Jalaldeen

Local Government and Provincial Council Minister A.L.M. Athaullah said the Gam Sabha and Jana Sabha mechanism will be established soon in every local authority to ensure the grassroot level participatory approach.

A MoU was signed between the Local Government and Provincial Council Ministry and USAID Sri Lanka on the implementation of Supporting Regional Governance Program (SuRG) in the Eastern province. USAID donated US$ 9 million for this project.

Minister Athaullah said USAID has contributed in many sectors, particularly in water supply and vocational training.

The Minister noted that extending this project inputs to other provinces will enrich the local government system.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has emphasized in the Mahinda Chintana development program the strengthening of the participatory governance through local authorities and Provincial Councils giving priority for local economic development and balanced development especially in peripheral areas of the country.

Deputy Minister Indika Bandaranayake, US Ambassador Patricia A. Butenis, USAID Mission Director Rebecca Cohn, Local Government and Provincial Council Ministry Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayathilaka, Ministry Additional Secretaries A. Abdul Majeed and D.P. Hettiarachchi were present at the signing of the MoU.