Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, I move the customary cut motion that under the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill 2025 on Tuesday, 04.03.2025, the recurrent and capital expenditure under programme heads of Heads 130, 253–279, 312–319, 321, 193, 221 and 328 be reduced by Rs. 10 each.

¶ 02 I am pleased to open on the Head of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. The Minister is from our Province — Puttalam District, North Western Province. A large mandate lies here with a significant allocation: the 2025 estimates total Rs. 573.5 billion. Much of this goes to salaries, pensions and administration. Previously “Home Affairs” was a component; though that label is gone, its institutions remain under this Ministry — District Secretariats, Divisional Secretariats down to Grama Niladhari offices — all under this Ministry. Thus, from village to district to national level administration runs through this Ministry.

¶ 03 Also under this Ministry are local authorities and Provincial Councils — 9 Provincial Councils and 341 local authorities (29 Municipal Councils, 36 Urban Councils, 276 Pradeshiya Sabhas). These bodies, alongside the state administrative machinery to the Grama Niladhari level, serve the public. Oversight over local authorities vests in this Ministry.

¶ 04 Yesterday, nominations were called for the 341 local authorities. We all want these long‑delayed elections held. A court has ordered they be held within three months. Many candidates will come forward: there are 8,355 councillor positions.