A district-level progress review meeting on major government development programmes, including the national Prajashakthi initiative, was held yesterday (04) at the Presidential Secretariat under the chairmanship of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.
Extensive discussions focused on the implementation of Prajashakthi at district level and its future direction. Officials emphasised that the programme should not be treated merely as another poverty alleviation scheme but as a transformative initiative aligned with the national vision of building a prosperous and inclusive Sri Lanka.
District Secretaries were informed that, going forward, all development projects must originate from village-level committees, ensuring that priority is given to actual community needs rather than budgetary convenience. Funding will be channelled through the relevant ministries, departments, provincial councils, and local authorities to maintain a cohesive approach to national objectives.
The meeting also noted that the private sector is expected to play an active role in the framework of rural development under Prajashakthi. Highlighting the significant responsibility of District Secretaries, Dr. Kumanayake urged them to bring forward innovative proposals to advance the initiative as a comprehensive national programme.
In addition, the review covered directives on the implementation of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative and progress of other key government efforts, including the Mid-Year Budget Programme, District Development Programmes, Rural Roads Development, Estate Community Infrastructure Development, Disaster-Resilient Housing for plantation areas, facilities for identified schools and sports schools, measures to mitigate human-elephant conflict, and initiatives for persons with disabilities.
Attention was also drawn to government programmes targeting healthcare, education, poverty reduction by 2030, and the decentralisation of the President’s Fund to improve accessibility and impact.
It was agreed that future progress reviews will incorporate inputs from both line ministries and District Secretaries to strengthen accountability and coordination.
Among those present were Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Sampath Manthrinayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government S. Aloka Bandara; Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara and Roshan Gamage; Legal Adviser to the President J.M. Wijebandara; Additional Secretaries to the President Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara (Clean Sri Lanka Programme) and N. Wanasingha (Food Security and Policy); and Director General of the National Budget Department Jude Nilukshan.
