LEADERSHIP IN MOTION _ EFFICACY OF Local government -- President
"My vision of a new Sri Lanka is to interface development between
cities and villages. We must bring the facilities of the city to the
village, and the value system and environment of the village, to the
city. This will ensure a livelihood of quality for all Sri Lankans. Sri
Lanka’s local government system has been the main implementation body,
giving effect to this process," said President Mahinda Rajapaksa
addressing the Commonwealth Local Government Conference in Kampala on
Tuesday.
Full text of the speech:
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing
the Commonwealth Local Government Conference in Kampala on
Tuesday. Picture by Sudath Silva |
It is my privilege to address you at this Commonwealth Local
Government Conference in the Ugandan capital of Kampala. The selected
theme of this Conference “Developmental local government: putting local
government at the heart of development” is appropriate and relevant to
us all. We in Sri Lanka are proud of our long history and the concept of
local government has existed in Sri Lanka from ancient times. The
village was the administrative unit of early settlements. I would like
to share with you the evolution of local government in my country.
The Great Chronicle, the Mahawamsa, describing the life and times of
our people, traces back the local government systems to the reign of
King Pandukabhaya in the 4th Century BC, during which period,
Anuradhapura was established as the first capital of Sri Lanka. Two
systems of local government were put in place to administer the city and
the villages.
Coincidentally, it is on a day like this, 28 years ago, on May
14,1985, that the Sacred Bodhi Tree at Anuradhapura, a place of much
veneration for Buddhists, was attacked by terrorists and 134 innocent
pilgrims and worshippers massacred. There were no human rights
organization objected to this at the time.
A system of village councils or Gam Sabhas had been in operation in
the country prior to the colonial era. Its main objective was to
administer irrigation and agriculture, the lifeblood of the people.
The success of this system was evident from the complex and elaborate
network of irrigation systems put in place by ancient rulers which
enabled rice cultivation in the dry zone. Sri Lanka was once known as
the Granary of the East because of self-sufficiency in rice.
Village Councils
Architectural evidence of ancient buildings, monasteries and cities,
as well as historical records, point to an advanced system of local
administration and a productively active economy that existed in ancient
Sri Lanka.
In 1818, following the uprising of the people led by the rural
leaders against British rule, the Village Council system was abolished.
However, it was re-introduced in 1856, by the British perhaps in
recognition of its value and effectiveness. Village Councils
administered all local affairs, addressed people’s grievances.
At a broader and a higher level, the Kachcheri or district
administrative system introduced by the British, diffused the
centralized authority of the government, throughout the country.
A number of legislative changes were introduced in subsequent years,
and the administration was transferred to elected representatives. With
the granting of Universal Franchise in 1931 elected local bodies were
established at municipal, urban, town and village levels.
Sri Lanka has witnessed an evolution of this decentralized system of
governance over the years. Successive governments have advocated the
strengthening of effective forms of local administration in order to
realize the aspirations of the people.
Local government has not only been practical but also effective in
taking development directly to the people. Therefore, it is sustainable
and helps to reduce poverty and provides a variety of vital public
services. I am of the view that a certain level of state intervention is
also necessary in order to ensure equitable distribution of the
benefits, and social inclusivity.
National food production drive
As you are aware, the terrorist conflict ravaged my country for over
three decades and prevented its development, both at rural and urban
levels. Local Government was among the first targets of terrorism. The
first victim of terror, we recall was the Mayor of Jaffna in the North.
I wish to remember here all the local government leaders who were the
victims of terror. With the defeat of terrorism in 2009, our first
priority was to restore local government.
My government has re-focused attention on economic growth and
regaining the splendour of the past when my country was known as a
“Paradise Isle”. The twin pillars of durable peace and political
stability have opened doors for Sri Lanka to move forward on accelerated
economic and social development.
As a catalyst for our new development paradigm, we have maintained
our GDP growth rate at 7 to 8 per cent. My government’s policy doctrine
“Mahinda Chinthana - a vision for future Sri Lanka” - has infused a new
vigour to our development model, particularly in a challenging
international economic environment.
Today, nearly 80 per cent of the population of Sri Lanka live in
villages. Thus, for the success of any development initiative, it is
imperative to address the needs of the rural communities.
My vision of a new Sri Lanka is to interface development between
cities and villages. We must bring the facilities of the city to the
village, and the value system and environment of the village, to the
city. This will ensure a livelihood of quality for all Sri Lankans. Sri
Lanka’s local government system has been the main implementation body,
giving effect to this process.
We have also introduced a national food production drive under the
Divi Neguma or livelihood development programme to create a self-reliant
household economy with the objective of promoting economic growth
through agriculture and food production, fisheries and livestock
development and by energizing small and medium enterprises with a view
to creating a value added economy.
Local government institutions
At the village level, the Gama Neguma or village development
programme… focuses on rural development and poverty alleviation, through
the development of infrastructure, including water supply, irrigation,
sanitation, public health and education. The key target is to create
livelihood support systems and promote community based development,
whilst retaining the strengths and features of rural life.
We are also keen to develop our townships, implemented under the Pura
Neguma programme with the aim of improving small, urban areas in
selected local government bodies.
The Uthuru Wasanthaya or the Northern Spring and the Neganahira
Navodaya or the Re-awakening of the East programmes, are success stories
we have embarked upon. Through these, we were able to re-construct what
had been destroyed as a result of the terrorist conflict and re-settle
and re-integrate the displaced into society.
At each stage of this development process, targeted government
intervention has been made through a strong local administration system.
Creative and innovative measures have been put in place to remove blocks
and safeguard the vulnerable.
In a decentralized structure, the central government plays an
important role in providing the necessary capacity building.
Undoubtedly, proper safeguards must be put in place against
corruption. Cumbersome administrative and bureaucratic delays tend to
encourage corruption and must be guarded against. Public Private
Partnerships can play an invaluable role in raising awareness and in
realizing the community’s full potential.
There are two other aspects of policy with regard to local
government, which we have considered vitally important in our country.
The first is related to training. It has been borne out by practical
experience that local government institutions can be of real service to
the people only if they are manned by officials who are adequately
trained and equipped for the tasks assigned to them. We have, therefore,
placed considerable emphasis on practical programmes of instruction.
Economic growth
The other aspect, equally important, is that local government
institutions must operate within the overall framework of policy
determined by the central government. This element of cohesion is
absolutely essential to ensure the absence of contradictions and the
delivery of substantial benefits to the people.
Youth are the future leaders of a country, and their participation in
the development process is essential for the country to move forward.
Experience in local governance can be an important learning process
in broadening their horizons for upward mobility. They must be provided
proper guidance on the need for a culture of rights, good governance and
democratic practices.
A functioning democracy must nurture leadership qualities at
grass-roots level. These are also in agreement with the core values of
the Commonwealth. As a founding member, Sri Lanka maintains steady
engagement with the Commonwealth.
The vibrancy of this organization is in its rich network of shared
resources, experiences and opportunities. Member States can benefit from
this pool of resources in helping to strengthen their own local systems
of governance, which would enhance the degree of empowerment of people.
National policy
In putting to good use the expertise within the Commonwealth,
particularly in contemporary times of global economic difficulty, one
has to understand that the richness of the Commonwealth derives from the
diversity of its Member States. Therefore, their distinct value systems
have to be preserved.
In such a context, organizations such as the Commonwealth Local
Government Forum can play a crucial role in creating a global
environment across the Commonwealth for all stakeholders to work
together and promote equitable and balanced economic growth. Sri Lanka’s
experience with regard to local government, is, I believe, of relevance
and value to the themes of this conference in a variety of ways.
Our experience demonstrates the vital role of local traditions and
culture in moulding the practices of local government institutions. It
also highlights the unique significance of the part played by these
institutions in sustaining and strengthening the democratic way of life.
This is especially so, because democratic governance impacts most
directly on the people through these institutions which bring government
literally to their doorstep.
It is the elected representatives at the local level who perform a
crucial function in keeping alive the people’s faith in democracy,
because it is they, who have the opportunity of identifying, and
responding to the people’s needs at the grass-roots level. It is they
who form the essential link between the community at large and the
organs of the central government. This is why, we in Sri Lanka have
consistently regarded local government as the most practical expression
of the ideals and aspirations of a functioning democracy.
I understand that at the last Commonwealth Local Governmental Forum
in Cardiff, many of these issues of importance to Commonwealth Member
States were discussed. I am confident that the thought process evolving
from Cardiff will be progressively developed during the present
Conference.
As part of Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Commonwealth, my
government hosted the Asian Regional High Level Commonwealth Symposium
in April last year, which focused on inclusive and pro-poor local
development strategies through which all citizens in urban and rural
areas would benefit. We are currently discussing a programme of
partnership to be launched next month, to strengthen local government to
support the implementation of our national policy.
Your Excellencies will be happy to hear that my government is
actively considering some of these elements, essential for local
development as core themes of the Colombo CHOGM. Growth with equity,
inclusive development, youth and local entrepreneurship are some of the
ideas being considered. As Chair in Office thereafter, Sri Lanka will
actively work towards taking these ideas forward.
I wish you all a successful and productive conference.
May the noble Triple Gem Bless you all.
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