Colombo: A special programme to recognise the Divisional Secretariat offices in the Western Province that demonstrated the highest level of performance during the first year of the President’s Fund’s decentralisation drive was held yesterday at the Miloda Auditorium in Colombo under the patronage of Speaker and Member of the President’s Fund Board of Governors, Jagath Wickramaratne.

According to News.LK, the programme recognised Divisional Secretariat offices that recorded the highest level of performance during 2025 under the President’s Fund’s decentralisation initiative, which was introduced with the objective of providing a more efficient and expeditious service to the public. The Homagama, Kaduwela, and Kesbewa Divisional Secretariats in the Colombo District were commended for their achievements. In the Gampaha District, the Gampaha, Biyagama, and Mahara Divisional Secretariats were recognised, while in the Kalutara District, the Panadura, Beruwala, and Bandaragama Divisional Secretariats received similar accolades.

Addressing the gathering, Secretary to the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, highlighted the Government’s efforts to decentralise the President’s Fund to the Divisional Secretariat level, shifting from a Colombo-centric model to a more community-focused approach. He noted that the Divisional Secretariat offices have become the public face of the President’s Fund, transforming the perception from ‘Take It If You Can’ to ‘We Bring It to You’.

Further elaborating, Mr. Gamage emphasized the significant role played by Divisional Secretaries, Assistant Divisional Secretaries, Accountants, Subject Officers, Grama Niladharis, and other field officers in bringing the President’s Fund closer to the people. He praised their dedication and ability to overcome challenges, ensuring the Fund’s services reached the most vulnerable and distressed members of the public.

The recognition programme began in the Western Province because historically, two-thirds of all applications received by the President’s Fund originated from there. The initiative aimed to make all officers aware of their contributions and to acknowledge their successful efforts in the decentralisation process. Mr. Gamage expressed hope to extend this recognition to all Divisional Secretariat offices across Sri Lanka in the future.

The event was attended by President’s Fund Board Members S. C. Mayadunna and Emeritus Professor J. Jayakody, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government S. Aloka Bandara, Colombo District Secretary Prasanna Ginige, Kalutara District Secretary H. M. S. P. Herath, and Gampaha Additional District Secretary J. W. S. Kithsiri, along with other local service officials.