September 11 (Citizen.lk News) - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today emphasized the importance of close coordination and unified action between the central government and provincial institutions in the implementation of development projects.
Chairing a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, the President said that the longstanding practice of using provincial institutions merely as political instruments has been brought to an end under the current administration. He noted that both central and provincial authorities must now work in unison towards a comprehensive national development plan.
The meeting was convened to address issues that have arisen during the implementation of development projects, assess the progress of initiatives under the 2025 provincial budget allocations, and initiate discussions on the 2026 budget. Particular attention was paid to challenges in sectors such as education, health, and highways, with officials presenting potential solutions and proposals for improvement.
The President issued a directive that projects funded through foreign loans and international aid should no longer be managed through separate project offices incurring high administrative costs. Instead, such projects should be implemented within the existing administrative framework, completed within agreed timeframes, and focused on delivering direct benefits to the public.
Special emphasis was also placed on the improvement of the school system. Officials were instructed to carry out zonal-level school visits, conduct thorough assessments, and propose the most appropriate measures to ensure the delivery of quality education to all children.
