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Problems in Local Government and Possible Solutions: NGOs as a Support of Local Government

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NGO Politics in Sri Lanka

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Abstract

This chapter identifies a range of problems in Sri Lankan local government, highlighted in the proposals of local government representatives and administrative officials. The lack of local government power, together with the lack of knowledge by local government representatives about how to use their power, presents a major problem. The main proposal for increasing local knowledge was to seek NGO support which would provide knowledge , technology , guidance, funds and resources to local government. In contrast, national-level political representatives and administrative officials proposed amendments, such as the integration of local government and central government-controlled administrative bodies at the local level as a way of enhancing local development . There were local-national discrepancies concerning proposed solutions for tackling local government problems and attaining solutions.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Local Government Reforms (1999, 29).

  2. 2.

    Ibid., 30.

  3. 3.

    United Nations ESCAP, “Country Paper: Sri Lanka.”

  4. 4.

    Ibid.

  5. 5.

    The ministries of provincial councils are known as departments.

  6. 6.

    Department of Local Government—Southern Provincial Council, “Mission.”

  7. 7.

    Department of Local Government—Eastern Provincial Council, “Mission.”

  8. 8.

    Respondent: Mr. Nimalchandra Ranasinghe, Representative (UNP), Galle Municipal Council.

  9. 9.

    Respondent: Mr. Anura Amarasiri Narangoda, Chairman (UPFA), Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha.

  10. 10.

    Respondent: Mr. Mohammad Nabavi, Opposition Leader (UNP), Matara Municipal Council.

  11. 11.

    Respondent: Mr. Jayantha Pathirana, Representative (JVP), Matara Municipal Council.

  12. 12.

    Respondents: Mr. K. Selvarajah, Chairman (TNA), Trincomalee Urban Council and Mr. S.L.M. Jawadullah, Chairman (UPFA), Kinniya Pradeshiya Sabha.

  13. 13.

    Respondent: Rev. Baddegama Samitha Thero, Representative (UPFA), Southern Provincial Council.

  14. 14.

    Respondent: Mr. Joseph Michael Perera, MP (UNP), Gampaha District.

  15. 15.

    The 13 th Amendment to the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka—1978.

  16. 16.

    Respondent: Mr. Gamini Gunasekara, Commissioner, Kaduwela Municipal Council.

  17. 17.

    Respondent: Mr. Nimalchandra Ranasinghe, Representative (UNP), Galle Municipal Council.

  18. 18.

    Respondent: Mr. D.A. Gamini, Opposition Leader (UNP), Hambantota Urban Council.

  19. 19.

    Respondent: Mr. Anura Amarasiri Narangoda, Chairman (UPFA), Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha.

  20. 20.

    Respondents: Mr. Manjula Liyanage, Representative (UNP), Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha and Mr. Upul Nishantha, former Mayor, Matara Municipal Council.

  21. 21.

    Respondent: Mr. H.G.K. Jagath Kumara, PHI Officer, Matara Municipal Council.

  22. 22.

    Respondent: Mr. Joseph Michael Perera, MP (UNP), Gampaha District.

  23. 23.

    Respondent: Mr. Gamini Gunasekara, Commissioner, Kaduwela Municipal Council.

  24. 24.

    Ibid.

  25. 25.

    Respondent: Mr. H.G.K. Jagath Kumara, PHI Officer, Matara Municipal Council.

  26. 26.

    Respondent: Mr. Gamini Gunasekara, Commissioner, Kaduwela Municipal Council.

  27. 27.

    Ibid.

  28. 28.

    Few MCs and UCs are able to generate 70% of their own revenue, and they rely for the remaining 30% on support from central and provincial governments (United Nations ESCAP, “Country Paper: Sri Lanka.”).

  29. 29.

    Asian Development Bank, “Technical Assistance Report.”

  30. 30.

    A fund allocated to parliament members as well as to provincial council members to carry on area development. This fund is allocated through the annual budget.

  31. 31.

    United Nations ESCAP, “Country Paper: Sri Lanka.”.

  32. 32.

    Ibid.

  33. 33.

    Bigdon and Hettige, “Key Issues of Good Local Governance,” 94.

  34. 34.

    United Nations ESCAP, “Country Paper: Sri Lanka.”

  35. 35.

    The finance commission is the mechanism through which the financial allocations are made to the provincial councils in Sri Lanka.

  36. 36.

    A grant from a central government that a local government can allocate to a range of services.

  37. 37.

    United Nations ESCAP, “Country Paper: Sri Lanka.”

  38. 38.

    Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Local Government Reforms (1999, 73).

  39. 39.

    Respondent: Mr. Manjula Liyanage, Representative (UNP), Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha.

  40. 40.

    Respondent: Mr. M.D. Indika Thushara, Opposition Leader (JVP), Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha.

  41. 41.

    Respondent: Mr. Nandasiri Ranathunga, Chairman (UPFA), Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha.

  42. 42.

    Respondent: Mr. Jayantha Pathirana, Representative (JVP), Matara Municipal Council.

  43. 43.

    Respondent: Mr. Nimalchandra Ranasinghe, Representative (UNP), Galle Municipal Council.

  44. 44.

    Respondent: Mr. Joseph Michael Perera, MP (UNP), Gampaha District.

  45. 45.

    The provincial fund consists of: (a) all taxes imposed by the provincial council; (b) all grants made to such provincial council in respect of the province by the government of Sri Lanka; (c) all loans advanced to the provincial council from the consolidated fund of Sri Lanka; and (d) all other receipts of the provincial council (Provincial Councils Act, No. 42 of 1987).

  46. 46.

    Respondent: Mr. L.H.A.C. Kumara, Assistant Director—Planning, Weligama Divisional Secretariat.

  47. 47.

    Respondents: Mr. K. Selvarajah, Chairman (TNA), Trincomalee Urban Council, Mr. S. Sanoon, Representative (UNP), Trincomalee Urban Council and Mr. S.L.M. Jawadullah, Chairman (UPFA), Kinniya Pradeshiya Sabha.

  48. 48.

    Respondent: Mr. S.L.M. Jawadullah, Chairman (UPFA), Kinniya Pradeshiya Sabha.

  49. 49.

    Respondent: Mr. Rassaiya Chandrasena, Chairman (UNP), Lahugala Pradeshiya Sabha.

  50. 50.

    Respondent: Mr. N. Noormohamad, Representative (UPFA), Trincomalee Urban Council.

  51. 51.

    Respondent: Mr. S.L.M. Jawadullah, Chairman (UPFA), Kinniya Pradeshiya Sabha.

  52. 52.

    Respondent: Mr. Rassaiya Chandrasena, Chairman (UNP), Lahugala Pradeshiya Sabha.

  53. 53.

    This is allocated on the basis of population, per capita income or poverty levels, unemployment, health and nutrition, education, level of economic development, and inadequacy of current development activities in a local government area.

  54. 54.

    Respondent: Mr. Gamini Gunasekara, Commissioner, Kaduwela Municipal Council.

  55. 55.

    Respondent: Mr. Nimalchandra Ranasinghe, Representative (UNP), Galle Municipal Council.

  56. 56.

    Respondent: Mr. Mohammad Nabavi, Opposition Leader (UNP), Matara Municipal Council.

  57. 57.

    Respondent: Mr. Upul Nishantha, former Mayor, Matara Municipal Council.

  58. 58.

    Respondent: Mr. Joseph Michael Perera, MP (UNP), Gampaha District.

  59. 59.

    Respondent: Mr. Methsiri De Silva, Mayor (UPFA), Galle Municipal Council.

  60. 60.

    Hettige, “Local Democracy,” 435.

  61. 61.

    Ibid., 429.

  62. 62.

    Fernando, “Local Governance in the Uva Province,” 54.

  63. 63.

    Dasanayake, “Provincial Councils System,” Governance, 34–36.

  64. 64.

    Respondent: Mr. Anura Amarasiri Narangoda, Chairman (UPFA), Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha.

  65. 65.

    Respondent: Mrs. H.I.G. Shirani Pushpakumari, Assistant Director-Planning, Baddegama Divisional Secretariat.

  66. 66.

    Respondent: Mr. Nandasiri Ranathunga, Chairman (UPFA), Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha.

  67. 67.

    Respondent: Mr. M.K. Pradeep Kumara, Assistant Director-Planning, Suriyawewa Divisional Secretariat.

  68. 68.

    Respondent: Mr. S.L.M. Jawadullah, Chairman (UPFA), Kinniya Pradeshiya Sabha.

  69. 69.

    Respondent: Mr. Subash Ponnamperuma, NGO Coordinating Officer, Trincomalee District Secretariat.

  70. 70.

    Respondent: Mr. K Selvarajah, Chairman (TNA), Trincomalee Urban Council.

  71. 71.

    Respondent: Mr. Subash Ponnamperuma, NGO Coordinating Officer, Trincomalee District Secretariat.

  72. 72.

    Respondent: Mr. Gamini Gunasekara, Commissioner, Kaduwela Municipal Council.

  73. 73.

    Ibid.

  74. 74.

    Respondent: Mr. Methsiri De Silva, Mayor (UPFA), Galle Municipal Council.

  75. 75.

    Respondent: Mr. Manjula Liyanage, Representative (UNP), Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha.

  76. 76.

    Respondent: Mr. Anura Amarasiri Narangoda, Chairman (UPFA), Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha.

  77. 77.

    Respondent: Mr. Rassaiya Chandrasena, Chairman (UNP), Lahugala Pradeshiya Sabha.

  78. 78.

    Respondent: Mr. Rahuman, Revenue Supervisor, Kattankudy Urban Council.

  79. 79.

    Respondent: Mr. H.G.K. Jagath Kumara, PHI Officer, Matara Municipal Council.

  80. 80.

    Respondent: Mr. D.A. Gamini, Opposition Leader (UNP), Hambantota Urban Council.

  81. 81.

    Respondent: Mr. Upul Nishantha, former Mayor, Matara Municipal Council.

  82. 82.

    Respondents: Mr. Nimalchandra Ranasinghe, Representative (UNP), Galle Municipal Council, Mr. D.A. Gamini, Opposition Leader (UNP), Hambantota Urban Council and Mr. Padmasiri Ediriweera, Opposition Leader (UNP), Weligama Urban Council.

  83. 83.

    Respondent: Mr. M.K. Pradeep Kumara, Assistant Director-Planning, Suriyawewa Divisional Secretariat.

  84. 84.

    Ibid.

  85. 85.

    Respondent: Mr. N. Noormohamad, Representative (UPFA), Trincomalee Urban Council.

  86. 86.

    Respondent: Mr. Subash Ponnamperuma, NGO Coordinating Officer, Trincomalee District Secretariat.

  87. 87.

    Respondent: Mr. M.D. Indika Thushara, Opposition Leader (JVP), Suriyawewa Pradeshiya Sabha.

  88. 88.

    Respondent: Mr. Jayantha Pathirana, Representative (JVP), Matara Municipal Council.

  89. 89.

    Respondent: Mr. Nimalchandra Ranasinghe, Representative (UNP), Galle Municipal Council.

  90. 90.

    Respondent: Mr. S. Sanoon, Representative (UNP), Trincomalee Urban Council.

  91. 91.

    Respondents: Mr. K. Selvarajah, Chairman (TNA), Trincomalee Urban Council and Mr. S.L.M. Jawadullah, Chairman (UPFA), Kinniya Pradeshiya Sabha.

  92. 92.

    Respondent: Mr. Gamini Gunasekara, Commissioner, Kaduwela Municipal Council.

  93. 93.

    Respondent: Mr. Joseph Michael Perera, MP (UNP), Gampaha District.

  94. 94.

    Respondent: Mr. M.L. Sunil Fernando, Advisor, Policy Division, Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils.

  95. 95.

    Leitan, “The Role of Local Government,” Governance, 54–55.

  96. 96.

    Respondent: Mr. Joseph Michael Perera, MP (UNP), Gampaha District.

  97. 97.

    Prior to 2006, the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils was called as the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government.

  98. 98.

    Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Performance-2005 & Future Plans-2006, 10.

  99. 99.

    Kumarasinghe, “Gramodaya Mandalas Re-launched.”.

  100. 100.

    Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, Performance-2005 & Future Plans- 2006, 10.

  101. 101.

    Literal meaning is people’s courage.

  102. 102.

    Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils, Performance-2007 & Future Plans-2008, 18 and Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils, Performance-2008 & Future Plans-2009, 36.

  103. 103.

    The Gramodaya Mandala fund was established in 1982 to grant financial and other assistance to Gramodaya Mandalas at that time to carry out their work (Gramodaya Mandala Fund Act, No. 28 of 1982).

  104. 104.

    Gramodaya Mandala Fund (Amendment) Act, No. 68 of 2009.

  105. 105.

    Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils, Progress Report 2009, Future Plans 2010, 4.

  106. 106.

    Respondent: Mr. M.L. Sunil Fernando, Advisor, Policy Division, Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils.

  107. 107.

    Respondent: Mr. D.P. Hettiarachchi, Retired Additional Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils; and Consultant, Environmental Management Lanka (EML) Consultants.

  108. 108.

    Respondent: Mr. M.L. Sunil Fernando, Advisor, Policy Division, Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils.

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  1. University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka

    Indi Ruwangi Akurugoda

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Akurugoda, I.R. (2018). Problems in Local Government and Possible Solutions: NGOs as a Support of Local Government. In: NGO Politics in Sri Lanka. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58586-4_5

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