President instructs Local Government authorities:

Use powers to provide better service to public

Disna MUDALIGE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday instructed Local Government authorities to use powers vested on them to provide a better service to the public in coordination with stakeholders.

He asked them to work with understanding and cooperation with District Development Committees, Urban Development Authority and Divisional Secretariat Divisions of their areas when initiating community development projects.

The President was chairing a special District Development Meeting for Colombo at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

President Rajapaksa said Local Government Heads should not act as if the entire region is their kingdom, but should take the contribution of DSDs as well as politicians in the region to initiate regional development projects and provide maximum service to the public.

The President said even though Colombo Municipal Council is operated by the Opposition, it works in close coordination with the Central Government and other authorities.

He questioned why other local government institutions could not do so while representing the same party.

The President made this observation paying attention to complaints by several officials over the lack of support on the side of local government bodies over development initiatives.

President Rajapaksa also instructed officials to take maximum use of lands in Colombo without abandoning and neglecting them for years.

He said ground water pipelines must be laid before carpetting roads to save money spent on re-carpeting the roads.

President Rajapaksa instructed authorities to pay attention to the recultivation of abandoned paddy fields.

Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Dinesh Gunawardena, Gamini Lokuge, Bandula Gunawardena, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Wimal Weerawansa, Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunaga and other officials also participated.