President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced plans to recruit a further 110,000 employees to the public service, following the completion of approximately 40,000 recruitments from vacancies identified across government institutions.

Presenting the 2027 Budget in Parliament today (12), the President said approval had been granted for recruitment to a total of 148,940 vacancies following a review of public sector staffing requirements.

Of the approved vacancies, around 40,000 recruitments have already been completed, while provisions will be allocated to recruit the remaining 110,000 employees.

The President said strengthening human resources in public institutions was essential to maintaining an efficient and quality public service.

Meanwhile, the Government has proposed several measures to improve public administration and strengthen local government institutions.

Rs. 100 Billion for Rural Road Development

A total of approximately Rs. 100 billion has been earmarked for rural road development, including the improvement and rehabilitation of roads and bridges.

Of this, Rs. 55 billion has been allocated for rural roads, Rs. 5.5 billion for rural bridges and Rs. 20 billion for the maintenance and rehabilitation of Provincial Council roads.

Rs. 50 Billion for District Development

The Government has also proposed Rs. 50 billion for the District Development Programme and Decentralized Budget Programme, with Rs. 2 billion allocated to each district.

Of this amount, Rs. 47.75 billion will support district-level development projects, while Rs. 2.25 billion will be allocated through the Decentralized Budget Programme, providing Rs. 10 million to each Member of Parliament.

Salary Support for 46 Financially Weak Local Authorities

A new funding mechanism will be introduced in 2027 to address financial difficulties faced by local government institutions.

Under the proposal, the Government will cover 100% of the staff salary requirements of 46 financially weaker local authorities.

A further Rs. 1.75 billion has been allocated to support capital development programmes of local government institutions.

New Government Buildings and Digital Facilities

An allocation of Rs. 1.1 billion has been made to construct new District Secretariat offices in Vavuniya, Puttalam and Anuradhapura.

Another Rs. 265 million has been allocated to commence construction of Divisional Secretariat buildings in Dehiattakandiya and Elapatha.

The Government has also allocated Rs. 4.5 billion to replace outdated computers in public institutions, with a further Rs. 2.2 billion proposed for additional requirements.

Meanwhile, the Sethsiripaya Stage III project in Battaramulla, expected to be completed in 2028, has received an allocation of Rs. 6.8 billion. Plans are also underway to implement Stage IV, including a day care centre, using funds from the Urban Development Authority.

The proposals form part of the Government's broader programme to strengthen public sector capacity, improve administrative efficiency and expand infrastructure and services at local and district levels.