President Maithripala Sirisena said that during the last few decades the political parties and the leaders became unpopular due to the corruption, frauds and malpractices and abuse of power by some of the elected members of local government institutions.
Addressing the ‘Swarna Purawara Awards’ Ceremony at the Nelum Pokuna yesterday, 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 the local government institutions should become the centers 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 the development, administration, financial management and the social welfare”, the President said.
The ‘Swarna Purawara Award’ Ceremony is organized annually by the Ministry of Provincial Council and Local Government with the intention of commending the Local Government Institutions.
This initiative will pave the way to eliminate shortages and will assist to understand the challenges of the Local Government System, which consisted of 23 Municipal Councils, 41 Urban Councils, and 271 Pradeshiya Sabhas.
Ministers of Provincial Council and Local Government, Faizer Mustapha, State Minister, Priyankara Jayarathna, Governors, Provincial Council Ministers, Provincial Council Commissioner, Secretaries, and State Officials participated at this ceremony.
