Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has directed officials to complete all development projects launched under the approved 2026 allocations within the next three months.

The Prime Minister issued the directive today (11) during a progress review meeting of the Colombo District Planning Committee held at the Colombo District Secretariat.

The progress of projects implemented under the Decentralized Budget Programme, Rural Road Development Programme, Praja Shakthi Poverty Eradication Programme and the programme promoting a culture of sports was reviewed during the meeting.

The meeting also assessed development projects being implemented in the Colombo District by several government institutions, including the Road Development Authority, Provincial Road Development Authority, Urban Development Authority, National Housing Development Authority and the Department of Irrigation, the Office of the Prime Minister stated.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed that identifying delays and existing issues would enable officials to make necessary changes and complete projects without further obstacles, allowing the public to receive their intended benefits without delay.

She emphasized that poverty eradication should be the primary objective of the development programmes and called for practical criteria to ensure their quality and long-term effectiveness.

The Prime Minister also instructed officials to resolve issues concerning the responsibility for certain roads, lands, canals and drainage systems.

Officials informed the meeting that, under a Gazette notification, responsibility for canals and rivers rests with the Department of Irrigation.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya directed officials to ensure that uncertainty over institutional responsibility does not become an obstacle to implementing future development projects, the PMO added.