🚨 President Orders Accelerated Rollout of Rs. 102 Bn Provincial Ditwah Projects

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to fast-track development projects executed by Provincial Councils using Rs. 102 billion from the Government's Rs. 500 billion provision allocated for the Ditwah disaster response. • Overall Progress & Planning: • Currently, 30,923 development projects are underway across the provinces. • All project planning for the 2027 Budget must be finalized by November to begin implementation on schedule next year. • Key Sector Highlights: • Irrigation: Department of Agrarian Development, Irrigation Department, and provincial programs will be integrated into a single national plan. Small and medium-sized tanks will see capacity expansions and expedited rehabilitation between the Yala and Maha seasons to prepare for changing El Niño conditions. • Education: Individual assessments will be conducted for schools with fewer than 50 students before deciding on consolidation; transport facilities or allowances will be provided as needed. • Agriculture, Livestock, & Health: Development projects across these key sectors are being reviewed under a unified policy framework to prevent duplication and cut unnecessary expenditure. • Technical Workforce: An expedited recruitment and training initiative will address the shortage of technical officers across Provincial Councils. • Financial Management: • Strict financial discipline enforced for 2027 budget preparations. • Projects funded through foreign loans and assistance must be completed on schedule to guarantee intended economic benefits.