UNDP project to strengthen public administration in North

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

A special project by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to strengthen the public administration structure in the Northern Province will commence soon, said Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama.

The UNDP agreed to fund this special project after a discussion the Resident Representative of UNDP and Resident Co-ordinator for United Nations, Neil Buhne had with Dr. Amunugama and his officials at the Public Administration Ministry recently.

The Minister said it is of vital importance to have an efficient public administration system to fully implement all development projects and IDP resettlement programs, and pass on the benefits to the public.

The Ministry had already identified priority areas relating to staffing, buildings and equipment for the Northern Province to restrengthen the administration which suffered serious setbacks during the 30-year terrorist war, he said.

The UNDP special project is expected to re-assess the requirements relating to staffing, training, buildings and equipment in the area and provide necessary inputs to ensure a smooth administration for the Northern Province as was done by the Ministry after the tsunami devastation in the South and the post-liberation period in the East. The overall cost of the project is estimated at over US$ 30 million.