Towards decentralised, citizen-centric governance model for Sri Lanka

EXECUTIVE summary: Sri Lanka's politically tarnished centralised system of governance structure has continued to disenfranchise the majority of its citizens and has robbed its true potential before and since independence was granted, in spite of multiple constitutions and social uprisings.

- By Anura De Silva

The need of the hour before we face a crash is to reimagine the country's political and administrative systems to prioritise capable, service-oriented, and preferably apolitical leadership at the local levels. This policy brief proposes a structural overhaul that emphasises decentralised governance, constitutional reform, and digital connectivity to enable a transparent, inclusive, and modern governance system aligned to protect and serve the needs of 22 million Sri Lankans.

Problem statement: Sri Lanka's current model, dominated by a centralised political party elite, has repeatedly failed to address local issues or empower communities. Citizens often feel ignored after each post-election, and corruption remains rampant due to a lack of accountability and operational inefficiency at every level. Without structural change, the cycle of disillusionment and underdevelopment is likely to persist, despite changing political cults from now-irrelevant UNP/SJB, SLFP/SLPP remnants known for looting the country in broad daylight, and the NPP is yet to present a compelling vision for a transformational future despite a Marxist-Leninist political umbrella which they have failed to shed.

Policy recommendations

1.Decentralised governance responsibilities

■ Limit the central government to national and international issues:

■Strategic defence initiatives and proactive foreign relations to advance the nation’s interests and values on the global stage