In 2025 and 2026, the Praja Shakthi programme has emerged as a key initiative to bridge the gap between the government and the people, especially in rural and underserved areas. For ordinary Sri Lankans, farmers in remote villages, youth seeking opportunities, women managing households, or families in estate regions this project offers a way for citizens to actively shape local development. It focuses on community-driven efforts rather than top-down aid, encouraging people to identify needs, access government programs, and work together for progress.
From a public perspective, Praja Shakthi feels like a fresh approach. Many see it as a platform for grassroots voices, empowering locals without heavy political ties. It targets multidimensional poverty not just lack of money, but gaps in education, health, and nutrition. Coordinators at the village level help connect people to resources, fostering self-reliance. This article explains the programme’s goals, structure, roles, and implementation, drawing on official details for clarity.
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The Core Idea: Reducing the Government-People Gap
Praja Shakthi aims to bring government services closer to citizens while giving people a stronger voice in development. Launched in mid-2025 under presidential patronage, it emphasizes community empowerment over direct handouts like traditional welfare schemes.
The programme views poverty as multidimensional addressing income alongside education, health, and social issues. It promotes citizen participation at the Grama Niladhari (GN) and Divisional Secretariat (DS) levels, creating networks of local coordinators to facilitate dialogue.
Public feedback highlights appreciation for this focus. In backward regions and estates, where access to services can lag, residents welcome representatives who understand local realities and advocate effectively.
Main Goals of Praja Shakthi
The programme’s objectives center on inclusive, sustainable growth:
- Deliver government welfare and development programs efficiently to grassroots levels.
- Carry people’s needs, complaints, and ideas upward to officials.
- Boost participation in village-level planning and projects.
- Foster social unity, voluntary service, and community spirit.
- Empower vulnerable groups youth, women, low-income families through skills and opportunities.
These goals align with national priorities for equitable development, particularly in rural and estate sectors that historically face challenges.
Roles and Responsibilities of Praja Shakthi Coordinators
Appointees serve as links between communities and authorities. Their tasks include:
- Monitoring welfare programs (like social security or skills training) to ensure proper reach.
- Organizing awareness on health, education, environment, and issues like substance abuse.
- Forming youth groups, women’s societies, and volunteer networks for service activities.
- Addressing multidimensional poverty by coordinating solutions in education, nutrition, and livelihoods.
- Facilitating public feedback to DS/GN offices for responsive governance.
This is a voluntary/social service-oriented role, not a permanent government job. Coordinators receive monthly allowances, training, and certificates valuable for future opportunities in NGOs or development work.
Eligibility and Appointment Process
Typical qualifications include:
- Sri Lankan citizenship.
- Interest in social service.
- Basic education and strong communication skills.
- Deep knowledge of the local community.
- Preference for non-political affiliation to maintain neutrality.
Appointments occur at DS levels, with groups selected for each area. The process aims for inclusivity, prioritizing those from target communities.
Recent implementation involved briefings for Divisional Secretaries on 2026 plans, ensuring coordinated rollout.
Current Status and Budget Support
Praja Shakthi gained momentum in 2025, with official launch events and awareness workshops. The 2026 Budget allocated substantial funds part of Rs. 180 billion for rural development including this programme, focusing on backward districts and estates.
Progress reviews at district levels track advancements, with emphasis on digital tools for better coordination.
Public Perspective: Hope and Calls for Transparency
Many citizens view Praja Shakthi positively as a non-political platform for real change. In villages, it offers direct representation; youth gain leadership experience; families access better services.
Some public discussions note the need for transparent selections to avoid perceptions of favoritism. Ensuring merit-based appointments builds trust and maximizes impact.
Overall, the programme resonates as empowerment-focused: enabling self-driven progress over dependency.
Why Praja Shakthi Matters for Sri Lankans
In a nation rebuilding inclusively, Praja Shakthi supports grassroots resilience. It turns citizens into partners identifying solutions, monitoring aid, building unity.
For families in rural or estate areas, it means stronger voices and tangible improvements. Youth and women find platforms to lead; communities foster voluntary spirit.
As implementation advances in 2026, public engagement through feedback and participation will shape success. This initiative highlights potential: when people and government collaborate closely, sustainable development follows.
In villages organizing events or households discussing local needs, Praja Shakthi inspires optimism a step toward empowered, connected communities across Sri Lanka.
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