Business

Kegalle sets up District Planning Committee to rein-in development spending under IMF-backed reforms

Published

8 months ago

2026/01/15

Dr. Patabendi addressing officials.

As Sri Lanka presses ahead with IMF-backed fiscal and governance reforms, the Kegalle District Planning Committee (DPC) was formally established yesterday as a standing sub-committee of the District Coordinating Committee (DCC), in a move aimed at tightening control over public investment, reducing duplication and strengthening monitoring at district level.

The committee was constituted under Home Affairs Circular No. 03/2025 issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and was inaugurated at the Kegalle District Secretariat auditorium under the leadership of Environment Minister and DCC Co-Chair Dr. Dhammika Patabendi and District Secretary H.M.J.M. Herath.

Addressing officials, Dr. Patabendi said the new structure directly responds to long-standing weaknesses in public investment management that have come under scrutiny during Sri Lanka’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund.

“Under the IMF programme, we cannot afford fragmented planning, overlapping projects or weak monitoring. This committee is about discipline—ensuring that limited public funds are allocated according to national priorities and deliver measurable outcomes,” Dr. Patabendi said.

He stressed that district-level planning must now align with national fiscal consolidation goals, with a stronger emphasis on value-for-money, results-based implementation and accountability.

The District Planning Committee will function as a permanent sub-committee of the DCC, chaired by the district’s Cabinet Minister, with the District Secretary serving as Secretary and the Director of Planning as Convener. Members include officials from district-level price and food committees and heads of government institutions or their nominees.

A central mandate of the committee is the preparation of an Annual Integrated District Development Plan, covering all funding sources—including foreign-funded and donor-supported projects—for approval by the District Coordinating Committee.

Officials said this would help rationalise project selection, prioritise urgent district needs and prevent the duplication of monitoring and evaluation systems, a key concern raised in public investment reviews under the IMF programme.

Dr. Patabendi noted that better coordination of state, private and non-state sector investments at district level would also support macro-level reform objectives by improving spending efficiency without increasing fiscal pressure.

“Fiscal adjustment does not mean stopping development. It means doing development better—through planning, coordination and proper evaluation,” he said.

The committee will oversee the operational rollout of DCC-approved projects, provide advisory support to implementing agencies, and monitor whether projects are delivered within approved timeframes and achieve stated targets.

Progress reports will be submitted to the Presidential Secretariat, Ministry of Public Administration, Ministry of Finance and the District Coordinating Committee, strengthening upward accountability.

At yesterday’s meeting, officials reviewed development proposals linked to the 2026 Budget, with focus on education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, industry, environment and tourism—sectors seen as critical for growth and social protection during the reform period.

Implementation challenges faced by projects carried out in 2025 across several Divisional Secretariat areas were also examined, with discussions centred on resolving bottlenecks early in 2026 and aligning future investments with the district’s five-year development plan.

Senior provincial and district officials, Members of Parliament from Kegalle, local authority heads and divisional secretaries attended the meeting.

Dr. Patabendi said the establishment of the District Planning Committee marked an important step towards embedding IMF-aligned public financial management reforms at the grassroots level, ensuring that development spending contributes to economic recovery while safeguarding fiscal sustainability.

By Ifham Nizam

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Business

Indo-Sri Lanka Chambers forge alliance to drive infrastructure and real estate investment

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

The exchange of the MoU between the two organisations

By Sanath Nanayakkare

In a major boost to bilateral economic ties, the Chamber of Construction Industry of Sri Lanka (CCISL) and the Indo–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ISCCI) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in real estate, infrastructure, and urban development.

The agreement establishes a formal framework for both institutions to drive collaborative initiatives, including business delegations, high-level conferences, workshops, B2B matchmaking sessions, and technical site visits. Designed to bridge businesses, government institutions, and project stakeholders across the Palk Strait, the partnership aims to unlock new avenues for cross-border joint ventures and technology transfers.

A focal point of this newly minted partnership is the facilitation of an upcoming trade delegation from the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) of India. Comprising major Indian players in the real estate and infrastructure sectors, the visiting delegation will engage in targeted business meetings, workshops, and inspection tours of prominent construction projects in Sri Lanka.

Under the terms of the MoU, CCISL will serve as the principal host coordinator in Sri Lanka. In close consultation with ISCCI, the apex construction body will curate itineraries, identify viable projects for engagement, and facilitate high-level dialogues with key government agencies, regulatory bodies, and industry leaders.

With both nations prioritizing sustainable urban growth, modern construction technologies, and infrastructure expansion, industry leaders view the partnership as a timely catalyst for economic rejuvenation. The collaboration is anticipated to accelerate market access, knowledge exchange, and foreign direct investment into Sri Lanka’s burgeoning property and development sectors.

To ensure the success of the upcoming NAREDCO delegation, CCISL has issued an urgent appeal to statutory authorities and relevant project owners to come forward with viable investment proposals. Stakeholders holding projects seeking foreign investment or technical partnerships are invited to submit comprehensive details to the Secretary General and CEO of CCISL via email at secyces@gmail.com.

Both chambers emphasize that translating this foundational agreement into tangible partnerships and robust capital flows will significantly strengthen bilateral connectivity between the construction and real estate sectors of India and Sri Lanka.

Business

Hettich celebrates a decade in Sri Lanka with partner meet in Colombo

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality

Hettich, the globally renowned German manufacturer of furniture fittings and architectural hardware known for its state-of-the-art manufacturing plants and magical interior solutions across the world celebrated a significant milestone in Sri Lanka, marking 10 years of presence in the country with its inaugural Partner Meet in Colombo.

The landmark event brought together Hettich’s key partners, stakeholders and industry leaders to celebrate a decade of growth, collaboration and shared success, while reaffirming the company’s long-term commitment to the Sri Lankan market.

Over the past decade, Hettich has strengthened its presence in Sri Lanka through its focus on German engineering, innovation, quality and functionality, contributing to the creation of contemporary and intelligently designed living and working spaces across the country.

The gala evening was graced by a distinguished delegation of senior leaders, including Dr. Andreas Hettich, Chairman, Hettich Group Advisory Board; S. K. Poddar, Chairman, Hettich India & Adventz Group; Mr. Akshay Poddar, Director, Hettich India; Andre Eckholt, Managing Director, Hettich India, SAARC, Middle East & Africa; Rahul Thakkar, Director – Sales, Hettich India & SAARC; and Dinusha Bhaskaran, Managing Director, Vallibel One PLC.

Business

GS Evo Motors launches all-new JMEV EWIND

Published

12 hours ago

2026/09/14

Thilina Walpola

Priyantha Perera, Chief Executive Officer of GS Evo Motors (left), and Sunil Wettasinghe, Chairman of GS Evo Motors, introducing the latest JMEV Ewind Electric SUV to the local market

GS Evo Motors Limited, the authorized distributor of JMEV electric vehicles in Sri Lanka, has officially launched the JMEV EWIND, a next-generation compact electric SUV. The vehicle is designed to offer strong performance, intelligent technology, premium comfort, and high safety standards, marking another milestone in Sri Lanka’s growing electric mobility sector.

The EWIND features a sleek, aerodynamic exterior with penetrating LED daytime running lights, trapezoidal chain-inspired LED tail lamps, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a bold silhouette. Inside, it offers a spacious cabin with a panoramic moonroof and retractable curtain, an ultra-thin suspended instrument panel, a D-shaped multifunction steering wheel, multi-colour ambient lighting, premium finishes, and electrically adjustable front seats.

The SUV is available in single-motor front-wheel drive configurations, producing up to 108 kW and 210 Nm, with 0–100 km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds.