The programme recognised Divisional Secretariat offices that recorded the highest level of performance during 2025 under the President’s Fund's decentralisation initiative, which was introduced with the objective of providing a more efficient and expeditious service to the public.
Accordingly, the Homagama Divisional Secretariat, Kaduwela Divisional Secretariat and Kesbewa Divisional Secretariat in the Colombo District were recognised for their achievements.
In the Gampaha District, the Gampaha, Biyagama and Mahara Divisional Secretariats were recognised. In the Kalutara District, the Panadura, Beruwala and Bandaragama Divisional Secretariats were similarly recognised.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary to the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage stated that the present Government had taken steps to decentralise the operations of the President’s Fund to the Divisional Secretariat level, thereby transforming what had previously been a Colombo-centred institution into a truly people-oriented fund.
Pointing out that Divisional Secretariat offices have now become the public face of the President’s Fund, Mr Gamage said that the Fund had successfully been transformed from what was once perceived as a system of “Take It If You Can” into one that effectively says “We Bring It to You”.
Further commenting on the initiative, Secretary to the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage said:
"It will be one year on 7 February since the President’s Fund, which had operated from Colombo since 1978, was taken to the villages. It must be said that Divisional Secretariat offices rendered the greatest service, commitment and intervention in bringing the President’s Fund closer to the people.
Divisional Secretaries, Assistant Divisional Secretaries, Accountants, Subject Officers, Grama Niladharis and other field officers performed an outstanding service in this regard. At no point did these officers say that the task could not be done or hesitate to undertake it. They carried out their responsibilities despite numerous challenges.
At the end of the first year, we felt that these officers should know how actively and successfully they had contributed to this initiative and that they deserved to be recognised for their efforts. It was with that objective in mind that we decided to commence this recognition programme with the Western Province. The reason is that historically, two-thirds of all applications received by the President’s Fund originated from the Western Province.
In this programme, the Divisional Secretariat offices serve as the public face of the President’s Fund. From 7 February 2025, we transformed the President’s Fund from one that was perceived as ‘Take It If You Can’ into one that says ‘We Bring It to You’. Alongside this, other forms of medical assistance were also decentralised from June onwards.
Had it not been for your contribution, the most vulnerable and distressed members of the public would still have had to travel to Colombo to obtain assistance from the President’s Fund. As Chairman of the President’s Fund, the President's vision was to make it a fund that treats everyone equally and operates with transparency.
In the past, the background of beneficiaries was not always properly examined. There have also been instances where assistance was provided in varying amounts depending on status and influence. Some grants were not even properly documented. That is no longer the case. You have been entrusted with this responsibility, and you have carried it out exceptionally well in the Western Province.
We hope to recognise all Divisional Secretariat offices throughout Sri Lanka in the future."
Among those present at the event were President’s Fund Board Members S. C. Mayadunna and Emeritus Professor J. Jayakody, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government S. Aloka Bandara, Colombo District Secretary Prasanna Ginige, Kalutara District Secretary H. M. S. P. Herath, Gampaha Additional District Secretary J. W. S. Kithsiri, together with Divisional Secretaries, Assistant Divisional Secretaries, Accountants, Subject Officers and other officials involved in delivering services at the local level.
