U.S government expands support to local authorities in the Eastern Province

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently to expand the Supporting Regional Governance Program (SuRG) to all 37 Pradeshiya Sabhas and one Urban Council in the Eastern Province.

The Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils A.L.M. Athaullah and U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia A. Butenis witnessed the signing.


Under the SuRG program, USAID/Colombo, the development office of the U.S. Embassy, provides technical assistance to local authorities to support their efforts to serve the public.
This MOU will expand the SuRG program to include all local authorities in the Eastern Province. Training will include topics such as office administration, financial management, and participatory training as well as Sinhala and Tamil language instruction.
Speaking at the occasion, Ambassador Butenis said she is pleased that the U.S. Government is partnering with the Ministry of Local Governance and Provincial Councils in this program.
"This demonstrates our shared vision on the importance of local government serving the needs of its citizens, and increasing transparency and accountability in service delivery and development," she said.
Acknowledging USAID's contribution to building the capacity of local officials, Chairperson of the Muttur Pradesihya Sabha K.M. Thoufeek said the only reason that they were able to be selected this year for funding under the World Bank's North East Local Services Improvement Project was because they had formed development groups in all villages which they learned about during USAID's training program.
Deputy Minister Indika Bandaranayake and key officials of the USAID and the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils were present at the MoU signing ceremony.
Since 1956, USAID/Sri Lanka has invested nearly $2 billion to benefit all the people of Sri Lanka.