A lion holding a sword symbolizes the eminence, success, independent existence, valour, impetus, dominance, stability and majesty of the Southern Province and the Heenbovitiya flower having an attractive pinkish purple colour and a history dating back fifteen thousand years epitomizes the pride of the South. The maroon background of the flag is emblazoned with a golden, sword bearing lion and there are four sacred bo leaves on the corners of the flag. Some historians believe that this flag is very similar to the flag which King Dutugemunu’s army carried when going to the war. The provincial flag and the provincial flower have been adopted having due regard to historical, cultural and social aspects of the province.

Galle which has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site is the capital of Southern Province consisting of the districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota. From ancient times, Galle has been a major commercial hub centre and a prominent seaport. Matara is the administrative capital of the Matara district and is situated 160 kilometers from Colombo. The Hambantota district is a geographical zone with mainly a tropical and dry weather and the area known as ‘Ruhunu Rata’ in ancient times was located in this area.

Our Institutional Objectives

Our Organizational Strategies

• Provincial specific development grants through the Provincial Council and provisions by Members of Parliament
• Criteria based development grants and provisions received from the Finance Commission for local government authorities.
• Provisions received from state entities such as the line ministry and Central Environmental Authority
• Procuring provisions by referring the identified project reports of local government authorities to the relevant institutions.
• Identifying suitable projects for the provisions received from nongovernmental organizations and the private sector.
• Providing facilities required for income generation of local government authorities and creating interest to implement projects.
• Indentifying opportunities for public and private partnerships and encouraging local government authorities to adopt community participatory projects.
• Directing staff of the local government centre for local and foreign training opportunities.

Our principles - Our values

• Justice - ensuring justice and integrity in making decisions and distribution of resources.
• Accountability - acting in an open and transparent manner for all clients in respect of procedure and functions. Standing ready to explain matters on which our activities are based. Obligated to be responsible for the public, government and the staff.
• Communication - employing modern methods of communication while collaborating and exchanging ideas with and seeking their advice from key participants.
• Commitment - offering guidance and encouragement for constant improvement in performance, providing services forthwith as per requirements and the ability to undertake any task in the discharge of routine duties.
• Participation - providing necessary assistance for building a productive relationship with all participants. Offering services voluntarily in official and non-official welfare activities.
• Being citizen centric - Efficient use of public funds and resources for the fulfillment of people’s needs.

Objectives, Powers and Functions

The following are the objectives of the Department of Local Government.

• Upgrading the general infrastructure system in the local government authorities through the provision of financial, technical and human resources cooperation required for developing general infrastructure facilities and common amenities within the areas of authority of local government bodies of the Southern Province.
• Improving institutional efficiency by making people’s representative and the staff of the local government authorities a work group with updated knowledge, skills and positive attitudes through training and developmental strategies.
• Improving efficiency and productivity of services provided to local government authorities by linking them up with computer networks and the Internet.
• Enhancing efficiency and productivity by providing guidance required to bring all local government authorities in the Southern Province under a common legal framework.
• Establishing a proper garbage management system by assisting to provide solutions to problems in the solid waste management within the local government authorities in the Southern Province.
• Contributing to improve health indicators of the Southern Province by providing facilities required for health and sanitation services delivered by the local government authorities.
• Offering an efficient and reliable public service that eschews bribery, corruption and waste by making the process of public service delivery of local government authorities to fall in line with sate policy and local government rules and regulations.
• Minimizing inconveniences to the public by establishing legal consultancy service required due to injustices (omission or commission) caused to the public by local government authorities.
• By transferring powers and responsibilities to the three district level local government offices, empowering them as the unit closest to local government authorities.

The authority was conferred on the Department of Local Government by the Municipal Council Ordinance No. 29 of 1947, Urban Council Ordinance No. 61 of 1939 and the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No.15 of 1987. In addition, powers have also been vested with the Department by Provincial Council (Consequential Provisions) Act No. 12 of 1989.

Rules and regulations and guidelines are formulated and amended to bring local government authorities under a common administrative structure. Drafting circulars for about 10 areas such as street lighting/ levying taxes from shops, implementing programmes for amending financial and administrative rules of local government authorities, preparing bylaws for local government authorities can be cited as examples.