Sri Lanka is considering establishing a dedicated unit within the Presidential Secretariat to monitor the Indian-funded development projects, as the two countries seek to resolve the implementation delays and other bottlenecks affecting several infrastructure programmes.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.
The discussions examined the challenges affecting the implementation of infrastructure projects financed by the Indian government and the measures needed to keep them on track. Renewing agreements required for the continuation of the projects was also discussed.
The projects span transport, highways, urban development, ports, civil aviation, plantations, community infrastructure, housing, water supply, fisheries, science and technology, justice and national integration.
The two sides also reviewed the projects financed through the US $ 450 million loan and grant assistance extended by India for disaster recovery and reconstruction.
The proposed monitoring unit at the Presidential Secretariat would oversee the progress of the projects across the ministries involved, potentially providing a central mechanism to identify and resolve the delays.
The meeting was attended by Presidential Chief of Staff Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, senior government officials and representatives of the Indian High Commission.
