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

Allianz SE (Headquartered in Munich, Germany) announced that it is donating €200,000 to support disaster relief efforts in Sri Lanka. In addition, Allianz SE is also extending its support to Thailand and Indonesia, contributing a further €400,000 to aid disaster relief across Southeast Asia. Torrential rainfalls have triggered severe flooding and landslides across Southeast Asia, leaving more than 1,100 people dead in a week of devastation and complicating rescue efforts for hundreds still missing. Allianz is deeply rooted with local entities in the three countries and serving millions of customers across Asia. By supporting the affected people and communities, Allianz acts on its promise to secure the future of its stakeholders in times of need.

Allianz SE will allocate €100,000 to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) to deliver immediate assistance to those most affected and €100,000 will also be provided for post-disaster support, implemented in collaboration with Allianz Insurance Lanka Limited and selected local partners, focusing on disaster prevention and climate resilience, helping communities rebuild and strengthen their preparedness against future events.

Renate Wagner, Member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE, responsible for Asia Pacific, Mergers & Acquisitions, People and Cultures says:

“At Allianz, we stand with the people and communities affected by the severe floods and landslides across Southeast Asia. Through immediate relief and long-term resilience support, we aim to help families recover, strengthen local communities, and better prepare for future climate-related events.”

Anusha Thavarajah, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Allianz Asia Pacific adds:

“Across Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, many families and communities are facing significant loss and disruption. In moments like these, Allianz stands alongside them. Asia Pacific is home to our people, our customers, and the communities we serve, and we remain deeply committed to the region. Our immediate focus is on providing relief where it is most needed, while also supporting communities to rebuild and strengthen resilience, so those most affected can move forward with confidence.”

Allianz is fully dedicated to Asia and its people. It represents a strategic growth region for Allianz Group, which already has established strong market positions throughout Southeast Asia. Besides Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, Allianz is present with various business segments in China, India, Malaysia and Singapore, among others.

First Capital Holdings PLC, a subsidiary of JXG (Janashakthi Group) and a pioneering full-service investment institution continues to strengthen its commitment to building a financially empowered nation. This commitment is driven through Invest-ED, a structured financial literacy initiative launched in 2024 with a focus on equipping Sri Lanka’s youth with essential investment knowledge and practical financial skills.

Designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world financial decision-making, Invest-ED is centred on preparing the next generation for financial independence by helping them understand not just why they should invest, but how, where, and what to invest in based on their individual goals, risk appetite and financial outlook.

At its core, Invest-ED recognises that financial freedom begins with informed decision-making. The initiative educates students on investment fundamentals while encouraging early participation in wealth-building, tailored to different investor profiles such as risk-averse individuals, long-term planners, or short-term opportunity seekers.

The programme is delivered through interactive, one-hour university-based seminars, conducted at universities. Sessions are led by industry professionals including First Capital fund managers, equity market experts, and research analysts, who engage directly with students to understand their interests, aspirations and concerns. Using practical examples and relatable language, presenters simplify complex investment concepts and demonstrate how early and informed investing can shape long-term financial outcomes.