Western Province DS offices recognised for President’s fund drive

Colombo, June 7 (Daily Mirror) - Divisional Secretariat offices that recorded the highest level of performance under the President’s Fund decentralisation programme in 2025 were honoured at a special recognition ceremony held yesterday (06) at the Miloda Auditorium in Colombo.

The event was held under the patronage of Speaker and Member of the President’s Fund Board of Governors, Jagath Wickramaratne, to acknowledge the contribution of Divisional Secretariat offices in bringing the services of the President’s Fund closer to the public.

Under the programme, the Homagama, Kaduwela and Kesbewa Divisional Secretariats in the Colombo District were recognised for their achievements. 

In the Gampaha District, the Gampaha, Biyagama and Mahara Divisional Secretariats received recognition, while the Panadura, Beruwala and Bandaragama Divisional Secretariats were honoured in the Kalutara District.

Addressing the gathering, Secretary to the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, said the Government’s decision to decentralise the President’s Fund had transformed it from a Colombo-centred institution into a people-oriented service accessible at the grassroots level.

He said that Divisional Secretariat offices had become the public face of the President’s Fund and played a key role in delivering assistance to vulnerable communities without requiring them to travel to Colombo.

Mr. Gamage also commended Divisional Secretaries, Assistant Divisional Secretaries, Accountants, Subject Officers, Grama Niladharis and other field officers for their commitment in implementing the programme despite numerous challenges.

He further said that the recognition programme commenced with the Western Province as historically nearly two-thirds of applications to the President’s Fund originated from the province, adding that similar recognition would be extended to Divisional Secretariat offices across the country in the future.

Several senior officials, including members of the President’s Fund Board of Governors, Ministry Secretaries, District Secretaries and local-level administrative officers, attended the event.