Economic plans for the coming year focus on reducing recurrent expenditure from 9% while increasing capital expenditure currently at 4%
President highlights development priorities at Galle District Special Coordination Committee Meeting
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that it is not justifiable, from the perspective of the public, to allocate a larger share of resources towards maintaining government operations. Accordingly, he noted that the economic plans for the coming year have been formulated with the aim of reducing recurrent expenditure, which currently stands at 9%, while increasing capital expenditure, currently at 4%, to support greater investment in development.
The President further stated that plans are in place to allocate Rs. 2 trillion for capital expenditure in 2027, representing an increase of approximately 40%.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while attending the Galle District Special Coordination Committee Meeting held this afternoon (28) at the Galle District Secretariat.
A comprehensive review was also conducted on the progress of development projects implemented by the Galle District Secretariat under the 2026 Budget allocations, including the Galle District Development Plan, as well as the district’s financial requirements for 2027.
Emphasising that every rupee received by the Treasury should be utilised for the country’s development and advancement, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government’s objective is to build a financially disciplined nation where future generations are not burdened with debt repayments.
The President further noted that international assessments of Sri Lanka’s economic progress and social indicators have shown positive developments. He stated that a country once recognised internationally as being unable to meet its debt obligations and facing challenges related to corruption and social issues is now gaining recognition for improved economic performance and reduced levels of corruption.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government has given special attention in the upcoming Budget to improving the efficiency of the public sector through the digitalisation of government services, enabling citizens to access services from their homes. The president added that consideration is also being given to extending the retirement age in selected fields to retain experienced and skilled professionals within the public service.
The President noted that transforming the public sector into an employment-creation mechanism and weakening the state sector had resulted in adverse economic consequences. He emphasised that it is the responsibility of any government to build an outward-oriented economy that generates employment opportunities, thereby creating more avenues for young people to enter the workforce.
The progress of the Galle District Development Plan was also reviewed during the meeting. The President highlighted that cities are not simply structures that are already built, but continuously evolving spaces. Therefore, he stressed the importance of developing cities through proper planning in line with contemporary needs and future requirements.
During the meeting, attention was also given to projects implemented by the Provincial Councils. It was noted that approximately 90% of the physical progress of these projects has already been completed.
The President was briefed on delays affecting certain projects due to disputes between institutions. He emphasised the importance of resolving such issues and ensuring that all stakeholders work together in accordance with a unified national plan.
Special attention was also paid to rural road development. It was revealed that 122 projects have been approved with an allocation of Rs. 250 million, of which work on 57 projects has already been completed.
Progress under the Prajashakthi programme, which aims to address multidimensional poverty, was also reviewed. The programme is implementing a range of projects focusing on strengthening the production economy, food security, social environment, human resource development, supply chain access and social protection.
Special allocations have also been made for the construction of “Nil Sewana” offices in the district and the development of school playgrounds. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake noted that building playgrounds alone is not sufficient to create a strong sports culture in the country. He emphasised the need for programmes that bring about a change in public attitudes, making sports an integral part of daily life.
The President further stated that developing a sports culture can help address several social challenges, including the threat of drug menace. He emphasised that the Government is prepared to allocate the necessary resources for sports development to build a disciplined and healthy future generation, while highlighting the need to implement a comprehensive national plan for this purpose without delay.
He also noted that the Government has allocated Rs. 2,000 million under the 2026 Budget to address the housing needs of children leaving detention centres. The President stressed the importance of expediting the construction of houses for these children to ensure that they receive the intended benefits.
Furthermore, the President reviewed the progress of housing programmes being implemented for the people of the district, including the initiative providing Rs. 1 million assistance for the construction of a house.
Progress in implementing the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ programme was also discussed during the meeting. The President emphasised the importance of utilising the funds allocated for the Ditwah disaster situation within the current financial year.
The progress of the Galle District under the national “Ratama Ekata” (A Nation United) operation to eradicate the drug menace was also reviewed. It was revealed that, since the launch of the operation on 30 October 2025, a total of 12,608 raids have been conducted in the district, resulting in the seizure of 119.6 kilograms of illicit drugs. The President stressed the need for all relevant institutions to work together in a coordinated manner to dismantle drug networks operating within the district.
Special attention was also given to the Galle City Development Plan, which includes the development of Galle Fort as a tourism zone, the transformation of Galle city into an economic hub and the development of Mahamodara as an administrative zone.
The President further clarified that although a decision had been taken to temporarily accommodate inmates at Mahamodara and Bogambara until the renovation work at the Negombo Prison is completed, there is no intention to convert these facilities into permanent prisons. However, the possibility of reconsidering the decision regarding the Mahamodara Prison was also discussed during the meeting.
Discussions were also held on the proposed relocation of 18 government institutions, including the Police Station and Post Office, to Mahamodara, the construction of the Galle Prison at Boossa and urgent solutions to waste management challenges faced by local authorities, including the garbage disposal issue in Rathgama.
Special attention was also given to drinking water-related challenges in the district. The progress of several water supply projects, including the Mahagodakanda and Baddegama Water Projects, as well as the proposed new community water projects in Mapalagama and Thawalama, was reviewed. Discussions also focused on identifying immediate solutions to issues affecting the implementation of these projects.
The meeting was attended by Galle District Coordination Committee Co-Chairman and Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Rathna Gamage, Galle District Coordination Committee Co-Chairman and Southern Province Governor Professor Susiripala Manawadu, Galle District Members of Parliament Nishantha Samaraweera, T.K. Jayasundara, Nishantha Perera, Thilanka U. Gamage, Hasara Liyanage and Chanaka Madugoda, Galle Mayor Sunil Gamage, Chief Secretary Chandima C. Muhandiramge, Galle District Secretary K.U. Chandralal, senior government officials, heads of security institutions and other officials.
