By: Staff Writer
June 02, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s non-governmental sector is facing a dangerous impasse, as the country’s NGO Secretariat has ceased approving registrations for new organisations and processing amendments for existing ones—effectively paralyzing a vital pillar of civil society.
The deadlock stems from the resignation of former Director General of the NGO Secretariat, Sanjeewa Wimalagunarathna, in March. Since then, the government has failed to appoint a successor, triggering an administrative void with far-reaching consequences.
While L.K. Muhandiramge has stepped in as Acting Director General, she lacks the legal authority to perform the concurrent and essential role of Registrar. This dual responsibility is critical for signing off on NGO registrations, amendments, and authorisations to access foreign funding.
“The dilemma lies in the two roles,” Muhandiramge explained. “I have informed the Ministry about this, but without empowerment as Registrar, everything has stalled.”
Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala admitted to being only vaguely aware of the issue, citing an ongoing process to recruit a replacement. Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala appeared completely unaware of the problem, telling reporters, “I will have to look into the matter.”
This leadership vacuum is more than a bureaucratic hiccup—it is an operational chokehold. NGOs, many of which provide critical services in health, education, environmental protection, and humanitarian aid, are now legally unable to function, open bank accounts, or receive foreign funds.
An official from the NGO Secretariat, speaking anonymously, confirmed that both new registrations and changes to existing entities were on indefinite hold. “Some NGOs expected to register weeks ago. Now they’re stuck. It’s not just about paperwork—without registration, they face legal complications in fund transfers and cannot operate properly.”
The crisis is compounded by shifting global aid flows. With recent USAID cuts, many NGOs are pivoting toward European donors like Germany. However, adjustments to their operations—often required to meet donor conditions—cannot proceed without official approval.
The NGO Secretariat, under the Ministry of Public Security, is tasked with ensuring the transparency and legality of NGO activity. But in its current state, it is doing the opposite—crippling legitimate organisations and pushing them into a legal grey area.
This prolonged lapse not only threatens the survival of NGOs but also undermines public trust and Sri Lanka’s international credibility in supporting civic engagement. If unresolved swiftly, the paralysis risks transforming into a systemic breakdown in the regulation of civil society.
