In recent years, Sri Lanka has faced multiple crises that have eroded development gains and increased poverty, job, and food insecurity. Despite these challenges, local authorities have been at the forefront of empowering communities and driving development from the ground up. Their leadership and vision have transformed diverse efforts into a powerful, collective force for positive change, reaching a quarter of Sri Lanka’s population and directly impacting the lives of over a million people.
Here are five inspiring examples, out of nearly 2000 sub-projects, of how local authorities are making a difference in the lives of Sri Lankans.
- Bringing Water to Rural Communities
In rural Sri Lanka, access to clean water has been a persistent challenge for many. S. D. Swarnalatha, a resident of Nochchiyagama Pradeshiya Sabha (local council) in Anuradhapura District, recalls the struggle of traveling long distances for water, which is now a thing of the past.