’’Fully utilize funds without returning them to Treasury’’: Prez to officials

14 October 2025 07:21 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 10 Bookmark

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Colombo, Oct 14 (Daily Mirror) - The President instructed officials to fully utilize the financial allocations provided for this year’s development projects without returning them to the Treasury, stressing that failure to do so would not only hinder development but also result in wastage of public funds.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while presiding over the Special District Coordination Committee (DCC) meeting held today (14) at the main auditorium of the Ratnapura District Secretariat.

The meeting focused on the progress of development programmes implemented in the Ratnapura District in 2025 by various ministries, departments, and state institutions, as well as the challenges faced in their execution.

The President emphasized that state officials play a crucial role as the key intermediary mechanism in ensuring that the benefits of government development projects reach the people.

He noted that repeatedly allocating funds for incomplete projects prevents the initiation of new ones and undermines efficiency in public spending.

Highlighting past shortcomings, President Dissanayake said that many government projects had been launched without proper feasibility studies or maintenance plans, creating unnecessary burdens for the state.

He cited examples such as the Hambantota SAARC Cultural Centre and the Anuradhapura Auditorium, which remain difficult to maintain due to the absence of responsible managing institutions.

He also observed that several government-built facilities — including tourist bungalows, inns, and public markets — are currently unused or neglected, stressing that private sector involvement in managing such assets would be a more practical approach.

Flood and landslide risks in the Ratnapura District were also discussed. The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) reported that nearly 15,000 families live in vulnerable areas, including 2,763 families in high-risk zones.

Comments - 10

Dr Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 14 October 2025 08:34 PM

Very bad advice. The officials will spend it even if they do not have any suitable project. This is the license to rob.

204 23

Gajendran Wednesday, 15 October 2025 05:30 AM

Very true, spending for the sake of spending. This will never happen in the private sector.

42 8

Dr Namal Supporter, previously Dr Sajith and Dr Ranil Supporter Wednesday, 15 October 2025 07:49 AM

They can't do it that way now, like they did during your kings, princes and heroes' time. They have to adhere the financial rules and regulations. Protection for thieves is non-existent now, Dr Moda Pacha Tissa Fernando.

7 71

Gunarathna Wednesday, 15 October 2025 09:51 AM

Thissa Fernanado, license to rob has always been the case everyday, all during their times, with previous anti-people regimes.

4 58

Sanka Tuesday, 14 October 2025 11:07 PM

There has to be continued accountability that funds are wasted in the last weeks of the year, just to meet the new expectation. What once cost X, can cost 10X just to get funds used, and apply for more funds with claims costs have gone up.

17 4

Lkf Wednesday, 15 October 2025 01:30 AM

Establishing a "Think Tank" of persons per district, knowlegable, politically neutral, prior to disbursement of funds could be more favourable, imposing responsibility in them, for their area.

0 2

JUK Wednesday, 15 October 2025 06:19 AM

During the program, we witnessed His Excellency making an inquiry regarding the extension of the railway line up to Ratnapura. While reconstructing the railway to Ratnapura can enhance connectivity, a comprehensive feasibility study is essential to evaluate land acquisition costs, track alignment constraints, and travel time feasibility. Please note that major buildings are constructed almost on the railway station premises especially at Haliyagoda and Ratnapura. The new government must ensure the project is both technically and economically viable before implementation. The existing Kelani Valley (KV) line, originally narrow-gauge and later converted to broad-gauge, suffers from low speeds (30-40 km/h) due to tight curves, frequent level crossings, and encroachments. If the same outdated infrastructure is extended to Ratnapura without significant upgrades, travel time could exceed four hours, making rail transport less competitive than road alternatives.

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sunil vijaya Wednesday, 15 October 2025 07:22 AM

kick these arts qualified SLAS bums and replace them with engineers and science graduates. They ruined this country along with corrupt politicians.

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Lalinda Amerasena Wednesday, 15 October 2025 08:55 AM

Lalla lala lalla lala government servents can now utilize the excess money left in their institutions at the year end to entertain themselves.What a lovely lhead of state we have..

0 7

Are you kidding Wednesday, 15 October 2025 10:23 AM

Are you taxing us for fun? If there is no work to be done, reduce the European level tax rates.

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