Cabinet approves National Assessment Policy

Cabinet yesterday approved the implementation of the National Assessment Policy aimed at evaluating 1,300 development projects customarily carried out by the Government each year.  

More than one-third of these projects are valued at above Rs. 500 million, the Information Department said in its weekly notification of Cabinet decisions. 

In addition to the major development projects, there are also many district, divisional and Local Government development activities that will be evaluated under the new policy. 

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Youth Affairs, Project Management and Southern Development Minister Sagala Rathnayake, to implement the National Assessment Policy drafted to evaluate the productivity and long-term results as well as the impact of these projects on public life.

Earlier this month Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament that the Government would introduce a National Assessment Policy that would improve independent monitoring of policy implementation and set standards for project assessment at State level.  

Once established, the policy will provide an assurance for State accountability in relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability. The policy will guide national evaluation capacity development and it will emphasise evaluation as a requirement of development programming. 

National Assessment Policies are accepted by most countries as they fulfil evaluation needs of countries and ensure effective use of resources.

According to experts, the policy will also guide civil society interventions, give confidence to the public in effectiveness of development interventions in the country and also work as an assurance to taxpayers, donors, and private investors for accountability of resources given by them.