Five Ways Sri Lanka’s Local Authorities are Empowering Communities from the Ground Up

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.

1. 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.

This improvement is thanks to the Katupathwewa water supply project implemented by the local council. Swarnalatha and her community now have reliable access to clean water 24 hours a day, significantly improving their quality of life.

       2. Empowering Women through Job Creation

With increasing poverty and unemployment, job creation became crucial in Sri Lanka’s fight against poverty. The Chankanai Food Center, supported by Valikamam West Pradeshiya Sabha, has become a beacon of hope for women in Jaffna district. Employing 16 women, the center allows them to sell traditional food items at a busy intersection next to a bus stop, providing a reliable source of income. This initiative not only empowers women but also preserves cultural heritage through traditional cuisine. Similarly, in Dehiattakandiya Pradeshiya Sabha in the Eastern Province, around 60 women are employed in a shoes and bag-making factory established by the local authority, which provides material, machinery, and training to these entrepreneurial women while providing them with three shopping outlets to sell their products.

Renuka Damayanthi, an entrepreneur shares, “With my age, no one would offer me a job. Because of this project, I have overcome many problems and am ready to move forward with strength and courage. I can now support my child’s education and live with the income.”

    3. Transforming Tourist Spots

Tourism can be a powerful driver of economic growth. In Uva province, a once-neglected wasteland in the Porawagala area in Bandarawela Pradeshiya Sabha has been transformed into an organized tourist spot.

In Polonnaruwa, the Muniyandi Adventure Park, combined with an artisan village, now attracts more tourists, giving valuable market exposure to local artisans from 16 different industries. The adventure park has also become an example of public-private partnership, with the park owned by the Polonnaruwa Municipal Council and run by a local private operator, sharing revenue between the government and the private operator.

Tillakaratne Bandara, a beneficiary artisan, shares, “Given the natural beauty of the area, we believe both local and foreign visitors would be attracted here. Due to the continuous influx of tourists, this business resulted in a big increase in my income.”

     4. Facilitating Access to Schools, Farms, Markets and Hospitals

For years, the community of Wewagala in Haldummulla faced unimaginable struggles due to the absence of a motorable road in hilly terrain. The road repair brought immense relief, connecting them to schools and markets.

Student, R. Vasanthan says, “Transportation to school has become more convenient, making it easier to carry our belongings, and significantly reducing the risk of accidents.”

Similarly, the Manmunai West Pradeshiya Sabha in Eastern Province transformed a daunting 5km journey into a safe route. Once a broken road with the dangers of elephant encounters, this connectivity now allows women to walk to clinics, children to access education, and farmers to transport their harvests.

“Farming is our lifeblood. This bridge has made it easier to transport crops and fertilizers, reducing damage from long trips. Now our tractors get to markets faster, helping us earn more.” – Selvanayagam Sivakanthaarn, Secretary of the Manappuram Cultivation Organization.  

       5. Investing in Future Generations

In Thalawa, where poverty is a daily struggle, the Pradeshiya Sabha built a daycare center, renovated classrooms of the pre-school, and provided a playground. This led to increased student enrollment and allowed parents to continue working. Similarly, Vavuniya local authority invested in nutrition supply for pre-schools, which included essential supplements like rice, green gram, and chickpeas, benefitting over 1,700 children from 89 preschools.

Soma Dissanayake, Head Teacher of the pre-school in Thalawa Pradeshiya Sabha, notes, “With these resources, we strive to nurture a generation that will proudly represent our country and the world.”

These stories show that with adequate resources and capacity, local governments can effectively respond to community needs. By improving local infrastructure and services, creating jobs, and providing emergency support during crises, local authorities have significantly improved the lives of many Sri Lankans. Continued investment will be essential to sustain this progress and extend its benefits to more Sri Lankans in the future.

About the Local Development Support Project and Its Impact

The success stories of the initiatives in this story are largely attributed to the Local Development Support Project (LDSP), supported by the World Bank and the European Union in collaboration with the government of Sri Lanka. Implemented in 134 local authorities across four provinces, the LDSP has reached a quarter of Sri Lanka’s population and a third of the country’s poor, directly benefiting almost a million people through over 2000 sub-projects.

By funding basic services, social welfare, local economic development, and capacity improvements, the LDSP has empowered local authorities to make tangible differences in their communities. Key infrastructure improvements include water supply, drainage systems, solid waste management, rural access roads, libraries, community spaces, public parks, and daycare facilities. These efforts have created a more connected, healthier, and inclusive environment for communities.

Local authorities have strengthened their capacity to deliver services through targeted training and a performance-based component that links funds to the achievement of set targets. In 2023, 65 local authorities met their revenue goals, and the use of ICT tools for revenue collection increased significantly. The participatory approach of the LDSP, involving community consultations, ensures that local needs are prioritized, demonstrating the resilience and commitment of local communities to drive their development.