The government initiates a comprehensive analysis of the spending in the 10 highest spending Ministries
Reports will be submitted to Parliament in all three languages to ensure transparency and accountability
The President acknowledged a significant void in Sri Lanka’s governance system—the absence of a national policy
In a significant development for Sri Lanka’s governance and policy landscape, the long-pending National Policy on Evaluation has finally been set in motion, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s mission for efficient governance. The policy, which was initiated in 2016 or 2017, was officially declared in 2018 during discussions in Parliament and now, in 2023, it is being hailed as a crucial step towards bringing discipline and consistency to government projects and policies.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, during his speech at the unveiling of the National Evaluation Policy Implementation Framework held at Temple Trees this morning (on the 8th), underscored the crucial involvement of the Ministry of Finance and the Project Management Department in the policy’s execution. This initiative aims to instil discipline within the government system. Currently, the assessment of expenditures in the top ten highest-spending Ministries is in progress, with the forthcoming reports slated for presentation in Parliament in all three official languages, ensuring transparency.
The President revealed plans to develop a foreign policy paper by the Minister of Foreign Affairs by the end of the year and a long-term defence policy for Sri Lanka by the Ministry of Defence. These initiatives aim to ensure a more consistent and enduring approach to policy-making followed by other ministries in producing a national policy framework.
He also stressed the importance of addressing policy adaptation issues at the ministry level, ensuring that national policies are effectively implemented.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighting the importance of this landmark policy and its implications for the country’s governance stressed the need for a National Evaluation Policy, given the seven-year journey from its inception, which vividly illustrates the need for a comprehensive framework to assess the government’s actions. He lauded the dedication of those involved in crafting the policy, recognizing their remarkable work in making it a reality.
In his address, the President highlighted that the parliamentary session delved into critical matters, shedding light on one pressing issue: the haphazard nature of certain government projects. An illustrative instance brought up was the construction of a canal bridge, necessitating the demolition of three or four-story building. This example vividly exemplifies the challenges encountered in the planning and execution of projects.
President Wickremesinghe highlighted a significant void in Sri Lanka’s governance system—the absence of a consistent national policy. He emphasized the need for continuity in policies, suggesting that parliament-appointed committees should play a central role in creating a national policy framework.
This landmark step towards a more consistent and predictable policy environment in Sri Lanka is seen as essential for the country’s economic growth and overall development. The government officials expressed their commitment to the robust implementation of the National Evaluation Policy, emphasizing the importance of evaluating government actions effectively.
The implementation of the National Evaluation Policy will be overseen by the Ministry of Finance and the Project Management Department, with the objective of instilling discipline and order within the government system. The policy aims to ensure that policies remain consistent, even as governments change, in order to maintain a stable and predictable environment for economic and social development.