Honourable Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the United National Party of Sri Lanka, has delivered a public lecture on decentralisation today. The lecture was attended by President Nasheed, Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed, Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Permanent Secretaries at the ministries. Leaders of political parties and representatives from non-government organisations also attended the lecture.
In his lecture, Hon Wickremesinghe noted and thanked the President for his efforts to establish democratic system of governance and to consolidate democracy in the Maldives. Hon Wickremesinghe also emphasised and elaborated on the importance of decentralisation of administration, and public participation in the government. He also shared Sri Lanka’s experience of decentralised system of governance. He stressed on the economic progress attained by Sri Lanka since the decentralized system of governance was introduced.
Hon Wickremesinghe assured President Nasheed that he will give whatever assistance needed in introducing the decentralised system of governance in the Maldives.
Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed, in his opening remarks noted that decentralisation of administration of the atolls is one of the most important changes that is being undertaken in the Maldives.
Vote of thanks was delivered by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr Ahmed Mujthaba.
