President calls for unified governance and accelerated development

• Emphasises data-driven, digital administration core national priority
• Says development today is driven by technology, not buildings; pledges full digital transformation in five years
• September to be declared as month for promoting a digital culture countrywide
• Reveals only 4% of Rs. 574 m allocated to Hambantota has been spent
• Calls for urgent use of Budgeted funds for public needs within 2025
• Stresses land must go to productive users, not for irregular allocations
• Orders review of school system to ensure quality, resource efficiency
• Announces plan to recruit 30,000 public servants and provide essential vehicles
• Pushes for elephant corridor project regardless of land ownership
• Promises to intervene to secure Rs. 70 m for kidney unit at Hambantota Hospital

President Anura Kumara Disanayake yesterday called for the integration of political leadership and public officials into a unified system of governance to fast-track development and improves citizens’ living standards.

Chairing the Hambantota District Special Coordination Committee meeting, the President stressed the importance of coordinated action, efficient use of public funds and a shift toward data-driven, digitally enabled administration as key pillars of his Government’s agenda.

He noted that while in the past a country’s development was measured by the construction of large buildings, today it is measured by technology. Disanayake stated that digital transformation within the next five years is a key Government objective. 

To this end, the President highlighted the importance of creating a cultural shift among citizens. 

He also announced that the month of September would be declared as the month for promoting a digital culture in the country, with awareness programs being planned. “Our country should be recognised with a new identity in the digital world and that the digital ID will mark a new milestone in that journey,” he added.

The meeting also saw issues and challenges in the district’s development activities being extensively discussed, including problems in the agriculture, fisheries, health, education, rural roads, land and irrigation sectors, along with potential solutions and the successful implementation of the digitisation program.

The allocations made through the 2025 Budget for Ministries, Departments and Institutions, as well as the progress of ongoing projects and those planned to commence before the end of this year using these funds, were also reviewed.

Although Rs. 574 million has been allocated for the Hambantota District this year under the Southern Province Development Program, it was revealed that only about Rs. 23 million has been spent so far, amounting to around 4% progress.

The President questioned officials about this and stressed the need to properly utilise the relevant allocations to meet public needs before the end of this year.

Land issues, including the clearance of lands belonging to the Mahaweli Authority, were also discussed. The President emphasised that, instead of granting land to various authorities and for irregular transactions, the country needs a culture of allocating land to suitable individuals for economically productive purposes.

The President also instructed that a proper review be conducted of the school system in the Hambantota District and that a comprehensive plan be presented. He emphasised that this plan must ensure quality education for all children, effective management of human resources, and optimal use of available resources.

Disanayake pointed out that the problem cannot be solved through emotions or assumptions and that a structured data system is essential. He stated that data should be analysed and used as the foundation for formulating solutions.

Attention was also drawn to problems within public institutions, including staff shortages. The President stated that the Government has prepared plans to revitalise the weakened public service, including recruiting 30,000 new employees after a gap of five years. He also noted that the upcoming budget is expected to allocate funds for providing essential vehicles to facilitate the duties of officers, including Divisional Secretaries.

The President also reviewed matters concerning the Hambantota Elephant Management Reserve. He stressed the importance of implementing the proposed elephant corridor project by acquiring the identified lands, regardless of whether they belong to the public or private sector.

Agricultural issues in the district, along with problems related to the fisheries harbour, were also discussed, including potential short-term and long-term solutions.

Attention was also drawn to a letter submitted by health officials requesting Rs. 70 million to complete the construction of the kidney unit at the Hambantota District General Hospital. The President said he would personally intervene and discuss the matter with the Treasury to secure the required funds.

Also present at the occasion were Co-Chairpersons of the Hambantota District Coordination Committees, Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra and Member of Parliament, Nihal Galappaththi; Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Ruwan Prabha Senarath; Hambantota District MPs Aravinda Senaratne Witharana, Athula Welandagoda, and Saliya Sandaruwan Madurasinghe; Chief Secretary of the Southern Province Sumith Alahakoon; representatives of local government institutions; Hambantota District Secretary Bimal Indrajith de Silva; as well as Government and security sector officials from the district.