Representatives of the Organization of Professional Associations (OPA) of Sri Lanka meet the Prime Minister

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government plans to allocate a separate contingency fund for every district under the forthcoming Budget, enabling District Secretaries to carry out urgent repairs to bridges, roads and public buildings identified at District Coordination Committee meetings without having to wait for approval from the Central Government. The President also emphasised that the Government’s foremost priority is to address the basic needs of the people without delay. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while attending the District Secretaries’ Conference held this morning (09) at the Colombo District Secretariat. The conference was convened with the objective of strengthening coordination among relevant stakeholders to ensure the more efficient and effective delivery of public services, while promoting district-level economic development by discussing local issues and identifying appropriate solutions. The discussions also focused on reviewing the progress of district development projects, enhancing coordination between ministries and government institutions, identifying issues at the district level, proposing practical solutions, and assigning responsibilities and follow-up actions. It was further emphasised that, in the interest of public safety, Divisional Secretaries should prevent people from resettling in areas identified as high-risk and refrain from approving basic utility services, including electricity and water, for such locations. The President also reviewed the progress of efforts to establish a special authority with statutory powers to manage environmentally sensitive land in the Central Hills. It was noted that the relevant draft legislation has already been prepared and that the new authority is expected to commence operations next year. The President further stressed that resolving the housing issues faced by war-displaced communities remains a Government priority, adding that plans are in place to resettle 13,000 war-displaced families during the coming year. He also highlighted the need to systematically implement a programme to relocate people living in areas that are repeatedly affected by floods and landslides to safe and secure housing. The President also drew attention to housing projects that had been initiated in an unplanned manner for various reasons, including political considerations, and subsequently abandoned midway. He stated that the Government intends to conduct a rapid survey to identify only those projects that are genuinely required by the public and implement a housing assistance programme to provide financial support for the completion of those houses. The President further emphasised the importance of carrying out housing and other construction projects in accordance with a proper planning framework. He pointed out that numerous issues had arisen as a result of unplanned construction in the Southern Province and stressed that development in the Northern and Eastern Provinces should be undertaken in line with a systematic development plan. He also noted that, while taking public needs into consideration, the Government is focusing on releasing privately owned land currently under the control of military camps. At the same time, attention is being given to making other large tracts of land available for investment. The President further stressed that, when allocating land for cultivation, measures must be taken to safeguard forest reserves and wildlife protection zones. Reiterating the need for comprehensive public sector reforms to deliver a high-quality public service, the President stated that plans are in place to abolish non-productive institutions in order to improve the efficiency of the public service. He further noted that steps have already been taken to fill vacancies in essential sectors, including health and education. The President also pointed out that measures are being taken to urgently fill vacancies in the Department of the Government Analyst in order to address delays in the issuance of Government Analyst reports, which have contributed to prison overcrowding. Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Professor Chandana Abeyratne, Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Ruwan Senarath, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Chief of Presidential Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Aloka Bandara, Ministry Secretaries, all District Secretaries, Heads of Departments and other senior government officials were also present. [PMD]