Local Government institutes must become the centre of good governance: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said that during the last few decades the political parties and leaders became unpopular due to the corruption, fraud, malpractice and abuse of power by some of the elected members of local Government institutions.

Addressing the Swarna Purawara Awards Ceremony at the Nelum Pokuna on Tuesday, the President said that the Chairpersons of local Government bodies enjoy immense powers only next to the Executive President and they should always use that power for the benefit of the people.

President Sirisena pointed out that those elected members who use their power to serve the people become popular with the masses and that local Government institutions should become the centres of good governance.

“It is the responsibility of the politicians and the Government officers to look into the issues of the people and solve them. All politicians and Government officers should be dedicated to show the excellence during their service using the limitless powers vested with the local Government institutions in development, administration, financial management and social welfare,” the President said.

The “Swarna Purawara’ Award Ceremony is annually organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils to commend local Government institutions.

This initiative is meant to pave the way to eliminating shortages and to assist in understanding the challenges of the local Government system, which consists of 23 Municipal Councils, 41 Urban Councils and 271 Pradeshiya Sabhas.

Ministers and MPs, including local Government and Provincial Councils, Minister Faizer Mustapha, State Minister Priyankara Jayarathna, Governors, Provincial Council Ministers, Provincial Council Commissioner, Secretaries and State Officials participated at this awards ceremony.