Amendments to the three principal laws governing Sri Lanka’s local authorities — the Municipal Councils Ordinance, the Urban Councils Ordinance and the Pradeshiya Sabhas Act — have reached their final stage, Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Ruwan Senarath said.
Cabinet approval has also been granted to amend seven other laws relating to local government bodies, Ada Derana reported.
The stated aim is to strip outdated provisions from the statute book and bring the legal framework for local authorities into line with present-day requirements. Hiru News reported the same three ordinances and the same seven further statutes.
Where he said it
Senarath was speaking at a programme for local government officials held at the Malimbada Pradeshiya Sabha auditorium in the Matara District.
The workshop was organised around the practical difficulties officials face in running councils — specifically council administration, procurement procedures and legal matters, according to the Ministry of Public Administration.
Sessions covered the conduct of council meetings and decision-making, the implementation of council decisions, committee functions, procurement principles and procedures, the powers and responsibilities of local government institutions, and how the relevant laws and regulations apply in practice. Officials were also given time for open discussion of day-to-day administrative and legal problems.
The ministry described the event as part of a wider series featuring mock council sessions, practical exercises, discussions and lectures, intended to strengthen coordination between institutional heads and officials and improve public service delivery.
Why it matters
Local authorities are the tier of government closest to the public, responsible for a broad range of services and for carrying out development work. The three ordinances now being amended are among the oldest instruments on the statute book still in daily use.
Not reported
Neither outlet named the seven additional laws approved for amendment, said what the amendments would change, or gave a timetable for tabling any of them in Parliament. Neither said whether the changes touch council powers, revenue or election procedure, and neither reported any consultation with local authorities or the opposition. No draft text has been published.
