Evolution and Establishment of Local Government
Local government is the administrative system that is closest to the people of a country. Their operations are localized and each local government body has a specifically demarcated area of authority. They can mainly be identified as urban and rural and are governed by a legally empowered council comprising representatives elected by the people of each area of authority.
The scope and functions and the extent of autonomy assigned to local government authorities differ from country to country. The nature of the structure of local government of every country depends on several factors. The historical traditions of a country, the consciousness of the people and the attitudes of political elite towards the concept of local government are crucial in this regard.
In western countries where there is a highly advanced system of local government the local government authorities are responsible for providing a variety of extensive public services including the police service, education, social services, transport, housing and environmental management. The Great Britain and Scandinavian countries are foremost amongst such countries. Conversely, there are countries which have bestowed activities of a limited scope to local authorities which under the strict control of the state.
Some countries have adopted different systems of local government different from the abovementioned structures. A careful study of the local government in Sri Lanka indicates that in the past the local government authorities of the country had enjoyed extensive powers within a broad scope and a relatively greater degree of autonomy. However on account of the constitutional changes that took place subsequently, it is seen today that the local authorities function with powers and scope confined to a limited sphere.
Notwithstanding that the subjects coming under the purview of the national, state or provincial governments in any country do not come under the scope of local government. Similarly, matters directly relating to defence, international relations, personal freedom, human rights and communication are exclusively the domain of the national government and are of no relevance to local government. The prime function of the local government is the administration of domestic affairs of a civilized society and the ultimate responsibility of local government is to make the area where people conduct their day to day affairs healthy and livable. Thus the duties entrusted to a local government authority include the keeping the towns clean, controlling and regularizing the construction of houses and buildings, preventing nuisance to public and providing for entertainment.
Establishment of the Department of Local Government
The primary legal source from which the power was derived for the establishment of the Southern Province Department of Local Government was the formation of provincial councils through the 13th amendment enacted to the constitution of 1978. Giving necessary instructions and assistance and offering guidance in regard to the subject of local government is the primary objective of the Department of Local Government. The authority has been delegated to the Department of Local Government for this purpose through the Provincial Councils (Consequential Provisions) Act No. 12 of 1989 which should be read together with the Municipal Council Ordinance No. 29 of 1947 (Chapter 252), the Urban Council Ordinance No. 61 of 1939 and the Pradeshiya Sabha Act No.15 of 1987.
Key Objectives Expected from this Department
- Monitoring the activities of local government authorities bodies located within the area of authority of the Southern Provincial Council.
- Offering guidance for activities of the local government authorities through consultancy services.
- Smooth maintenance and improving of public services delivered by local government authorities and provision of financial assistance.
Drawing up plans for the provisions allocated for human resources development activities and physical resources development activities of 03 Municipal Councils, 04 Urban Councils and 42 Pradeshiya Sabhas established in the districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota within the area of authority of the Southern Province and directing, supervising and assessing implementing institutions, offering guidance and technical and other services required in the implementation of projects with a view to facilitating a higher level of living standard to the people of the area are the major functions of the Department of Local Government. At the local government elections held in the year 2018, 1131 people’s representatives were returned to the local government authorities for the provision of extensive public service and a permanent staff comprising 6373 employees has been deployed to facilitate such activities.
The Local Government Resource Centre is maintained at the Department of Local Government office with the financial and technical support of the Asia Foundation and the Local Government Training Centre is maintained on the 06th floor of the ‘Dhakshinpaya” ministerial complex for enhancing the performance of the staff employed by local government authorities and for conducting programmes for developing their knowledge, attitudes and skills enabling them to deliver more productive service to the people of the Southern Province and for serving as a centre for sharing knowledge between the Department of Local Government and the local government authorities and the two centres offered a host of diverse programmes for the local government authorities in the years 2017 and 2018. It is the responsibility of the Department of Local Government to direct, guide, counsel and monitor the 03 Municipal Councils, 04 Urban Councils and 42 Pradeshiya Sabhas established in the area of authority of the Southern Provincial Council to carry out their activities through the provisions allocated for development activities by making available the required financial provisions and offering technical and other services with an eye on improving the living standard of the people of the province.