The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we consider the expenditure Heads of the Labour Ministry and the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, with more focus on the latter. Within my time, let me outline key points on the Provincial Councils and Local Government Head.

¶ 02 There are nine Provincial Councils and 341 local authorities under our purview. In the 2025 Budget, Rs. 22,789 million has been allocated to local authorities—the highest such allocation. As with Health and Education, a significant sum has been set aside here. We expect to rapidly deliver essential rural infrastructure—roads and bridges—especially in the North and Uva. Rs. 5,000 million is allocated for rural roads and bridges.

¶ 03 Focusing on the Northern and Uva Provinces, the Korean Government has granted US$10 million for a sustainable, integrated solid waste management project spanning 2025–2027, with Rs. 138 million available in 2025. Under Indian multi-year grants and aid, there is a major development plan for the Eastern Province targeting education, health, and basic needs.

¶ 04 We launched the Clean Sri Lanka program with Rs. 5,000 million allocated. We will procure compactor trucks for waste transport. Tourist-attracting local authorities are prioritized; Rs. 200 million is set aside to improve sanitation, including toilet systems, and Rs. 750 million for solid waste management projects—69% of which will fund 85 materials recovery facilities, enabling plastics, glass, and other recyclables to generate revenue. We have selected 54 local authorities in 2025 for this.

¶ 05 A further Rs. 675 million is allocated to improve infrastructure and income generation capacity of local authorities—again, 54 LAs (six from each province), focused on tourism-linked areas. For waste recycling, Rs. 100 million is allocated; for the Galle/Imaduwa (Geingpandele) recycling yard, Rs. 150 million is provided, works already underway.

¶ 06 On digitalization, Rs. 52 million is allocated to digitize all 341 local authorities. We have already started with over 100 LAs, enabling online payments. By end-2025, we aim for all 341 to be digitized.

¶ 07 The Western Province, including Colombo, is economically vital. We have launched several projects: a US$5 million Korean-funded technical solution for Colombo Municipal Council’s tax administration information; and Rs. 3,000 million in domestic funds for the Greater Colombo wastewater management project, already underway.

¶ 08 We have commenced construction of 162 rural bridges under Dutch loans and grants totaling Rs. 1,320 million, and we are receiving domestic and foreign funding to make these projects successful. For low-income local authorities in the North, East, North Central, and Uva, we are preparing a major Rs. 6,000 million project with Japanese support to enhance basic infrastructure in four “emerging provinces”.

¶ 09 Under our Ministry, the Sri Lanka Institute of Local Governance (SLILG) is key—for training councillors and officials. We found its functions had declined, with many frauds and irregularities, including issues in the governing board and among staff. The Director acted unilaterally, and the institution has collapsed. We will swiftly appoint a new board and Director and restore it to effectively train LA leadership and officials. We also observed misappropriation in projects, including laying a foundation stone for an eight-storey building but doing only minimal construction; the funds have vanished. An immediate investigation is needed; I have photos and will pursue this. COPA and COPE have seen such irregularities elsewhere; sadly, this institution also shows many.

¶ 10 Some Opposition MPs ask where the money comes from. The NPP Government promised to stop fraud, corruption, theft, and waste, and to spend taxpayers’ money efficiently. For example, details of fuel expenses in 2023–2024 for vehicles used by a former State Minister and staff show Rs. 10 million spent in 2023 on fuel alone—taxpayers’ money. In contrast, after we assumed office, for the first two months of 2024, my staff and I spent only Rs. 790,000 on fuel, whereas the previous State Minister and staff spent Rs. 1,731,063 in the first two months of 2024. This is the difference. Our new Government protects public funds and uses them carefully for the people. Thank you.