President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that spending a major portion of state revenue on maintaining government machinery is entirely unfair to the public. Accordingly, economic plans for the upcoming years have been formulated to reduce recurrent expenditure from its current 9% level while increasing capital expenditure, which currently stands at 4%.
The President highlighted that Rs. 2 trillion has been allocated for capital expenditure in 2027, representing an increase of approximately 40%.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while attending the Galle District Special Coordinating Committee meeting held at the Galle District Secretariat on the afternoon of July 28.
During the meeting, the progress of development projects executed by the Galle District Secretariat under the 2026 budget allocations—including the Galle District Development Plan—and the financial requirements for 2027 were thoroughly evaluated.
Emphasizing that the expectation is to utilize every rupee received by the Treasury for national development and progress, the President stated that the government aims to build a country with financial discipline that avoids placing debt burdens on future generations.
President Dissanayake further noted that Sri Lanka’s economic progress and social indicators are currently receiving positive evaluations in international reports. He added that a nation once talked about internationally for defaulting on loans, corruption, and social crime is today recognized as an economy operating optimally with minimized corruption.
He mentioned that the upcoming budget will place special focus on digitizing public services to enhance state sector efficiency and allow citizens to access services from home. Attention has also been directed toward raising the retirement age in selected sectors to retain experienced and skilled professionals within the public service.
Pointing out that past practices of turning the public sector into a employment-filling depot collapsed the state body and caused adverse economic consequences, the President emphasized that a government’s responsibility is to build an external economy that creates jobs, thereby generating employment opportunities for the youth.
Reviewing the progress of the Galle District Development Plan, the President highlighted that cities are evolving entities rather than static creations, stressing the importance of developing cities under a structured plan aligned with modern requirements.
The progress of projects implemented by the Provincial Council was also reviewed, where it was noted that physical work on 90% of the projects has already been completed.
Addressing project delays caused by inter-institutional conflicts, the President instructed that such issues be resolved so everyone works according to a unified national plan.
Special attention was given to rural road development, where it was revealed that 122 projects totaling Rs. 250 million have been approved, with 57 projects already completed.
Under the ‘Prajashakthi’ program aimed at eradicating multidimensional poverty, progress was reviewed across various projects focusing on the productive economy, food security, social environment, human resource development, supply chain access, and social protection.
Special funds have also been allocated for constructing ‘Nila Sevana’ official quarters and developing school playgrounds in the district. Noting that constructing fields alone is insufficient to build a sports culture, the President highlighted the need for an attitudinal shift in society to integrate sports into daily life.
He emphasized that fostering a sports culture addresses numerous social issues such as drug abuse, and affirmed the government’s readiness to allocate necessary funds to build a disciplined and healthy future generation through a national program.
Additionally, the President emphasized that Rs. 2,000 million has been allocated from the 2026 budget to meet the housing needs of children leaving detention centers, urging relevant authorities to expedite the housing construction scheme to deliver these benefits quickly.
He also reviewed the progress of housing programs in the district, including the scheme providing Rs. 1 million for house construction.
Progress regarding the implementation of the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ program was discussed, with the President emphasizing the necessity of spending funds allocated for the Ditwah disaster situation within the current financial year.
Reviewing the Galle District progress of the “Ratama Ekatata” national operation to eradicate illicit drugs, it was revealed that since the operation’s launch on October 30, 2025, 12,608 raids have been conducted in the district, leading to the seizure of 119.6 kilograms of illicit drugs. The President stressed the importance of all institutions acting cohesively to dismantle drug networks.
Special focus was placed on the Galle City Development Plan, which includes developing Galle Fort as a tourism zone, Galle town as an economic zone, and Mahamodara as an administrative zone.
The President clarified that while prisoners from the Negombo prison are temporarily relocated to Mahamodara and Bogambara camps until renovations are completed, these facilities will not be converted into permanent prisons. However, a decision was taken to re-evaluate the status of the Mahamodara prison facility.
Discussions also covered immediate solutions for relocating 18 government institutions—including the police station and post office—to Mahamodara, constructing the Galle prison in Boossa, and addressing local council waste management issues in Rathgama.
Drinking water issues in the district were given detailed attention, focusing on the progress and immediate solutions for projects including Mahagodakanda, the Baddegama water project, and proposed new community water projects in Mapalagama and Tawalama.
The meeting was attended by Co-Chairman of the Galle District Coordinating Committee and Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ratna Gamage, Co-Chairman and Southern Province Governor Prof. Susiripala Manawadu, Members of Parliament Nishantha Samaraweera, T.K. Jayasundara, Nishantha Perera, Thilanka U. Gamage, Hasara Liyanage, Chanaka Madugoda, Mayor of Galle Sunil Gamage, Chief Secretary Chandima C. Muhandiramge, political representatives from both the government and opposition, Galle District Secretary K.U. Chandralal, state officials, and security forces heads.
