A discussion on reviewing the progress of projects implemented by Provincial Councils under the budgetary allocations for 2026 and preparations for the 2027 Budget was held on Friday  (21) afternoonat the Presidential Secretariat, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

A total of 30,923 development projects are currently being implemented at provincial level. Their progress and issues encountered were discussed at the meeting, with particular attention given to the education, health, agriculture, livestock and irrigation sectors.

The President emphasised the need for the Central Government and Provincial Councils to implement projects and programmes within a unified policy framework and according to their respective areas of priority. He explained that the Central Government is responsible for formulating programmes based on national policies, while Provincial Councils should plan and implement projects accordingly at provincial level. He further stressed the need for efficient sharing of data and information, together with effective coordination within the State machinery, to prevent duplication of projects. This would help avoid the waste of resources on unnecessary projects while enabling essential projects to be prioritized.

The President also emphasized the need to make the projects implemented under foreign loans and assistance as successful as possible, complete them on time, and provide their benefits to the people.

Emphasising the importance of maintaining strict financial discipline and planning activities within the prescribed expenditure limits, the President instructed officials to complete the planning of all projects by November, enabling work to commence on schedule next year.

The President highlighted the need to implement irrigation rehabilitation programmes carried out by the three institutions, the Department of Agrarian Development, the Irrigation Department and the Provincial Councils, under a nationally integrated plan. He also stressed the importance of bringing together tank rehabilitation activities currently being carried out under various external projects under a single centralised programme.

The President further stressed the need to increase the capacity of small and medium-sized tanks and expedite their rehabilitation during the limited period between the end of the Yala season and the commencement of the Maha season, in preparation for the anticipated developments in the El Nino situation. He instructed officials to treat this as a priority and expedite the work using the allocated funds.

Special attention was also given to the programme for reorganising the school system. The President emphasised that the primary objective of this programme is to prevent injustice to children.

The President highlighted the importance of visiting schools with fewer than 50 students and making decisions based on an assessment of their physical condition and relevant data when considering their consolidation. He stated that the Government is prepared to provide transport facilities or, where necessary, an allowance for this purpose. He also stressed the need to expedite these plans in consultation with the Ministry of Education.

The relationship between the cooperative sector and Provincial Councils was also discussed. It was noted that Provincial Councils are contributing by providing technical assistance, machinery and other support required by the cooperative sector.

The shortage of technical officers, which has emerged as a common issue across all Provincial Councils, was also discussed. The President instructed officials to formulate an expedited programme to recruit and train technical assistants.

The President further instructed officials to expedite the projects being implemented by Provincial Councils using the Rs. 102 billion allocated to them from the Rs. 500 billion provision made by the Government for the Ditwah disaster situation.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Roshan Gamage and Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, Chief Secretaries of the Provinces, officials of the Finance Commission and the Ministry of Finance and other officials attended the discussion.

[President’s Media Division]