The Election Commission has issued an order prohibiting the progress of development projects overseen by district coordination committees, which operate under the supervision of provincial governors. The Commission argues that since governors are political appointees, such involvement would violate election laws.
Previously, President’s Secretary N.S. Kumanayake had written to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, directing District Secretaries to establish a proper mechanism for continuing the work of District Coordination Committees. These committees had become inactive following the dissolution of Parliament and were placed under the coordination of Provincial Governors.
As outlined in the 2024 budget, District Coordination Committees are responsible for managing, monitoring, and reviewing numerous development projects at the district level. However, the President’s Secretary noted that the committees’ inactivity has stalled these projects.
In his communication, the President’s Secretary stressed the importance of completing development projects initiated this year to ensure that the public benefits from them. These initiatives are funded through the decentralized budget allocated to MPs.
Following these instructions, the Ministry of Public Administration sent letters to district secretaries, along with a copy of the President’s Secretary’s letter, instructing them to coordinate with provincial governors to complete the development projects outlined in the 2024 budget within this year.
However, the Election Commission’s intervention has led to the suspension of a district coordination committee meeting that was scheduled for next week in the five districts of the Northern Province—Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Kilinochchi, and Vavuniya.
Reports indicate that the Election Commission’s objections were communicated verbally to the District Secretaries. The secretaries have been informed that the projects may resume once the parliamentary elections are completed.
Election Commission Chairman R.M.A. El Ratnayake has stated that the issue will be discussed in a meeting scheduled for next Wednesday.
