Efficiently and effectively delivery of public services to the communities living in local authority areas through providing of the local funds for development of infrastructure facilities enabling to provide the benefits to them and rendering contribution to minimize the inter provincial disparities.

Key Functions of the Division

• Implementing and monitoring of projects on instructions of the Department of National Planning relating to commonly identified projects.
• Implementing projects so as to reach high benefits by correct utilization of provision allocated as budget proposals, in the relevant purposes
• Implementation, Monitoring and progress review of projects.

Main Development Programmes implemented in year 2026

1. Local authority small bridges sustainable improvement project

Introduction

The main mode of transport for the people living in rural areas for fulfilling their requirements (children’s education, treatment for patients, transport of products to the town etc. of people engaged in economic activities) as well as transport of goods and services required for rural areas from the town. However, information confirms that a large number of bridges connecting rural roads island wide have become unsafe due to various natural disasters as well as due to improper maintenance from a long period or become structurally decayed or destroyed.

It was identified that 880 small bridges of different types in 229 local authority areas should be rehabilitated based on proposals relating to improvement of small bridges submitted at provincial level as a solution for this problem and having prepared the project proposal relating thereto by the Ministry, approval of the Department of National Planning was obtained therefore Provision of Rs.1050 Million has been allocated from the 2026 budget for the said project proposal.

Key Objective

Improvement of social, economic and environmental conditions of the community living in areas with close proximity, through improvement of small bridges located in local authority areas

Specific Objectives

• Increasing the rural community’s access for mobility
• Improvement of road safety for a reliable mobility
• Contribution towards enhancing the livelihood activities of the rural community
• Safeguarding bridges so as to sustain natural disasters such as floods

Criteria for Prioritization of Projects

As all projects identified cannot be implemented within one year, once prioritizing and selecting the said projects, the most important and essential projects are implemented first. The remaining projects will be implemented systematically from the ensuing year.

• The places frequently used by pedestrians (daily / during weekends by a majority)
• Places with high risk for pedestrians and vehicles
• Places directly effecting the income generating process of the area
• Places in close proximity with investment projects and tourist areas

Selecting Projects

Once calling for projects prioritized through each Commissioner of Local Government based on the 880 project proposals identified initially, the number of prioritized project proposals was 697. Feasibility studies were planned for 165 project proposals so as to cover the 25 Districts and feasibility studies could be conducted relating to 169 project proposals by 31.07.2026. Accordingly, detailed estimates were called for the said 169 project proposals. As such, detailed estimates relating to 132 project proposals were submitted to the Ministry and approval could be granted for 111 project proposals relating to 921.82 Million by 31.07.2026.

Accordingly, from among the projects granted with approval by the Ministry, constructions relating to 60 projects for which procurement activities were completed, contracts awarded and work commenced as at 14.07.2026.

According to the Policy Statement of the Government, “a Thriving Nation - a Beautiful Life”, an inaugural programme on constructing rural bridges, “Connecting shores - Building lives” in the areas of Rideegama and Narammala in the Kurunegala District was held under the patronage of Prof. Chandana Abayarathna, Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

• Construction of the Reddagoda bridge belonging to the Rideegama Pradeshiya Sabha

• Construction of the near the Watawana Road, Ginigathpitiya belonging to the Narammala Pradeshiya Sabha

Another inaugural programme thereof was held in Suriyawewa, Hambantota District under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Mr. Ruwan Senarath.

• Repairing the bridge near Konketiara Palugaha belonging to the Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha

• Development of the culvert at Pasal Mawatha, Kongala West, Middenigoda belonging to the Hakmana Pradeshiya Sabha

• Reconstruction of the bridge located across Depa Ela of the Industrial Zone, Orugodawatte belonging to the Kolonnawa Urban Council

• Reconstruction of the Madugama bridge belonging to the Siyambalanduwa Pradeshiya Sabha

• Construction of the bridge on Kalvayal Nunavil Road belonging to the Chawakachcheri Urban Council

Downloads

• Guideline - English
• Name board structure

2. Project on Construction, renovation maintain and improvement of sanitation facilities for the general public and tourists in urban area under "Clean Sri Lanka" Programme - 2025 (Continuations for 2026)

In improving public health, sanitation and overall living condition, it is vital that the public toilets under the local authorities of Sri Lanka be modernized. Most of the public sanitation facilities are not up to standard at present and constructions which are unhygienic, outdated and are in a condition where everybody, especially women, children, adults and people with disabilities cannot access. Identifying the importance of addressing this issue, the Clean Sri Lanka Programme has made provision of Rs.300 million in year 2025 to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government for providing necessary assistance towards local authorities for proper identification, modernization and maintenance of public toilets.

Key Objective

Improving public toilets with modern sanitation standards is the main objective, thereby expecting to reduce spreading of diseases, supporting tourism and improving sustainable urban development.

Implementing Projects

Twenty nine project proposals for improvement of sanitation facilities for the general public and tourists were implemented in 24 local authority’s islandwide under provision of Rs.323.42 Million. Constructions relating to the said project proposals were commenced in year 2025 and carried out continuously while constructions relating to projects which could not be fully completed in year 2025 due to reasons such as delays in procurement activities, have been planned to be completed in year 2026. Accordingly, constructions of 19 projects have been completed at present and the constructions of the remaining projects are due to be completed in the coming months of this year. Provision of Rs.253 Million was allocated by the Clean Sri Lanka Programme to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government for the payment of relevant bills in relation to projects which were continued for year 2026.

Repairs of the toilet system near the Tissa Sacred City Vehicle Park Southern Province Tissamaharama Pradeshiya Sabha		Modernization of the Madatugama Public Toilet North Central Province – Kekirawa Pradeshiya Sabha
Modernization of the public toilet system at the Koorikattuwan coastal line Northern Province Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha		Repairing of the public toilet in the proposed vehicle park in the Ambanpola city North Western Province – Mahawa Pradeshiya Sabha

Downloads

• Guideline - English
• Sign board structure

3. Project on Construction and Maintenance of Public Toilet System under the Local Authorities Islandwide under the Clean Sri Lanka Programme

Project proposals were called from local authorities islandwide for the ensuing years as well relating to improvement of sanitation facilities for the general public and tourists in urban areas on instructions of the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat based on the urgent requirement of improving sanitation facilities existing near local authority areas and 341 project proposals with an approximate estimated value of Rs.1,478 Million were submitted to the Ministry. From among the said project proposals, a project proposal has been prepared relating to 99 projects which were identified to be modernized after conducting feasibility studies and forwarded to the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat by the Ministry.

The Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat has agreed to allocate provision of Rs.150 Million to implement 26 project proposals prioritized in 24 local authority areas in year 2026 and has also notified to obtain Cabinet approval for this project proposal. Cabinet approval has been received on 16.06.2026 for the Cabinet Memorandum submitted accordingly.

According to the sequence of receiving recommendations of feasibility studies, detailed estimates were called from relevant local authorities and arrangements have already been made to grant approval for 03 project proposals submitted along with recommendations of Commissioners of Local Government.

Downloads

• Guideline - Sinhala
• Sign board structure

4. “Arunu Dora” programme on providing vehicles modified as Mobile Libraries for selected Local Authorities under the Clean Sri Lanka Programme – 2026

Introduction

Providing equal access to knowledge and educational resources for rural people as well as for people in areas away from the town, developing the reading culture among the community, thereby making the supply of services efficient through modernization of library services provided by local authorities, are expected from this programme.

Public libraries operated under local authorities are mostly located near towns and the inability of people living in rural areas for direct access for the said service due to reasons such as transport difficulties, has been identified as a major problem. Moreover, a drop in the attraction for reading has been observed due to the failure in updating books, magazines etc. in the library system of local authorities to meet the present demand of readers. A void in the access to knowledge has arisen due to these reasons which have resulted in creating a void between social education and development opportunities.

As such, it has been planned to make provision under the Clean Sri Lanka Programme to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government for providing mobile libraries to 22 local authorities in year 2026 and for 100 local authorities in year 2027 based on priority of requirement.

Key Objective

The key objective thereof is rural development through building a society based on knowledge by providing equal educational opportunities, thereby expecting increased community participation for sustainable development goals.

Criteria for selecting Local Authorities for providing Mobile Libraries Performance of the relevant Local Authority

1. Quality of maintaining library services by the relevant local authority
2. Interest in using the library in the local authority area
3. Necessity of expanding the library service within the relevant area
4. Geographical difficulty, lack of permanent libraries and fitness of roads
5. Financial viability of incurring recurrent and maintenance cost of the local authority
6. Ability of utilizing and managing the existing staff
7. Number of targeted beneficiary communities, social equality and inclusion
8. Information Technology preparedness and ability/potentiality of operating Online Apps
9. Standard of the main library and carrying out mobile library activities and active readers’ activities through existing resources

A pilot project was implemented in year 2025 relating to 10 local authorities in the 03 Districts of the Western Province under this programme. According to information obtained from relevant institutions in relation to the progress in implementing this pilot project, it is successfully being implemented at present by the said local authorities. This programme is specially implemented targeting rural community groups, rural pre-school children, groups living in elders’ homes, dhamma school children in rural areas who do not have access to libraries located close to towns. The relevant activities are managed by the present staff of the local authority itself and the assistance of the remaining staff as well is obtained when required. Moreover, the mobile library service is organized and operated on a few specific days of the week including weekends so as not to disturb the activities of the main library.

As this programme is specially implemented targeting community groups with limited access to libraries maintained close to towns, this programme can be described as a programme providing social benefits, since reading facilty to relevant groups is improved as well as the knowledge of children living in rural areas.

It has been planned to implement this programmes in year 2026 through 22 local authorities located islandwide and through 100 local authorities in year 2027 and action will be taken to select local authorities with viability based on the above criteria.

5. Development of tourism infrastructure in local authority areas

Introduction

Tourism can be defined as a vital sector for economic development as well as sustainable development. However, the inadequacy of essential basic facilities viz. sanitation facilities, disposal of waste, access roads, safety and first aid facilities for local and foreign tourists, have adverse effects towards fulfilling expected tourism development targets. As a solution therefore, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government had planned a project for the development of infrastructure in areas with tourist attraction to cover all provinces of the island to be implemented for a period of 3 years from year 2024 to year 2026 by local authorities.

In year 2024, provision of Rs. 1000 Million was allocated under the annual budget, out of which Rs. 414.39 Million were utilized and 67 projects implemented during the year. In year 2025, provision of Rs. 350 Million was allocated under the annual budget, out of which, after allocating provisions for outstanding bill payments related to projects implemented in year 2024 and allocating provisions for projects which were continued for 2025 and in addition to that 24 new projects were approved for implementation in year 2025. Accordingly, the total expenditure in the year 2025 was Rs. 145.05 Million.

Rs. 200 Million was allocated under the annual budget 2026, to complete 24 projects which continued from 2025.

Objectives

1. Development of essential basic infrastructure for tourism development
2. Improvement of income to enable local authorities to earn necessary funds for handling and maintaining infrastructure including tourism
3. Development of direct and indirect livelihood sources related to tourism thereby increasing the income level of the industry

Criteria in prioritizing projects

1. Places frequently used by local and foreign tourists (daily / weekends)
2. Projects which can be completed within 10 months
3. Projects with ability of income generation

Implementing Projects

24 projects comprising 2 projects implemented in year 2024 and 22 projects implemented in year 2025 had to be continued for year 2026 due to failure in completion of works. Constructions of 22 of those projects have been completed at present and constructions of the remaining projects are due to be completed during the upcoming period of this year.

Improvement of the public toilet near Rawana Ella Uva Province – Ella Pradeshiya Sabha

Purchase of equipment for the children’s park of the tourist park near the Katugahagalge Wewa Uva Province – Badalkumbura Pradeshiya Sabha

Improvement of sanitation facilities at Wellamankaraya coastal park North Western Province – Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Sabha

Beautification of the Mullaitivu coastal line and development of tourist facilities Northern Province – Maritime Pattu Pradeshiya Sabha		Modernization of the public toilet system in Puttur city Northern Province – Valikamam East Pradeshiya Sabha

Repairing the bathing spot near the Pahiyangala tourist zone and the toilet system of the vehicle park Western Province – Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha

Categorization of Projects

Downloads

• Guideline - Sinhala

Head of Division

Mr. H.K.K.A.Jayasundara Additional Secretary Tel : +94 112 307 719 Fax : +94 112 337 181 E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Development Division

Eng. R.M.Madhawa Prasanna Director(Engineering) Tel : +94 112 337 182 Fax : +94 112 337 181 E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mr.D.P.Indaka Deputy Director (Planning) Tel : +94 112 305 087 Fax : +94 112 302 722 E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Eng.S.A.G.M.Pemarathna Engineer(Development) Tel : +94 112 334 768 Fax : +94 112 302 722 E-mail : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.