Oficina ATLAS

Observatory Asia Sri Lanka 2021

Local Government

151

Large Cities

Capital Cities

Regional or State Governments

National Government

Other Institutions

Local Government

151

Large Cities

Capital Cities

Regional or State Governments

National Government

Other Institutions

Community

Capital

Sri Jayawardenapura Kote

Population

21 803 000

Language

Sinhalese

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR)

Indexes

Legislation Regarding the Regulation of Participatory Budgeting Experiences

Section 211 to 217 of the Municipal Council Ordinance, Section 178 to 179 of the Urban Councils Ordinance and Section 168 to 170 of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act detail the Budget preparation in Local Authorities in Sri Lanka. Under these provisions the responsibility of preparing the budget and presenting it to the Council is conferred on the Mayor (section 211 of the Municipal Councils Ordinance and in an Urban Council) and Pradeshiya Sabha on the Chairman (section 178 of the Urban Councils Ordinance and section 168 of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act).

Budgets are not drafted with a proper study of requirements for its preparation and the planning on how to meet them. Thus, Participatory Budgeting was not mandatory according to those statutory requirements. It was only after the launch of the “Transparent accountable Local Governance Programme” (TALGP) in 2005, that PB had drawn the attention of the country’s local authorities. The programme, which was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Local Government, Provincial Councils (MLGPC) and the Asia Foundation continued for two years with the financial support of the USAID, resulting in the issuance of guidelines for the introduction of PB.

In 2008, the MLGPC published two handbooks entitled ‘Local Authorities Budget and Local Governance Reforms’, and ‘Local Governance and Citizens’ Participation’, encouraging local authorities to adopt PB as part of fostering local governance. In addition, a committee on commission of inquiry on Local Government Reforms was appointed in 1998 and its report was issued in 1999.

Central to these reports was the emphasis on holding community meetings in each zone, which was envisaged as indispensable to encourage citizens’ participation. Moreover, the issuance of the first national policy on local governments in 2009 had apparently provided further impetus for local governments to take a step towards adopting PB.

Of the several strategies outlined in the policy for improving local governance, PB was considered a top priority. The enactment of the Local Authorities Act No. 21 in 2012 had apparently become a key stimulus for PB.

Outstanding Innovations

The development of an app to make inhabitants’ complaints and suggestions to the local authorities;
Arrangement of mobile unit to collect revenue;
New software for revenue management, including a point of sales system to generate income.

Initial Reference for the Adoption of PB in the Country

Since 2005, PB has been promoted by Asian Foundation with the financial assistance from USAID, World Bank & ADB.

Subsequent Reference for PB Dissemination

No information available

Impacts of COVID-19 Disease on PB

PB have been suspended: 95%
PB continued to function normally: 0%
PB have undergone changes/adaptations: 5%

Main Trends of PB in the Country During the Pandemic

Due to the pandemic, PB implementation has been suspended by most of the local governments. Their income has dropped dramatically. However, very few local governments made the effort to obtain suggestions from inhabitants through postal mail, email and social media.

Additional Information

In the process of assessing performance of the country’s local governments, the opportunity for the community to participate in the process of planning is listed as one of the criteria. Therefore, local governments will be leaned to implement PB in future.