Praja Shakthi Poverty Eradication Programme Reaches Nearly 1.4 Million Direct Beneficiaries

A total of 15,554 development projects are currently being implemented across Sri Lanka under the government's Praja Shakthi National Programme for Poverty Eradication, with approximately Rs. 23 billion allocated for the initiatives, according to the progress report as of October 31, 2026.

The programme has identified nearly 1.4 million direct beneficiaries, with approximately 1,406,315 people expected to benefit from the projects.

The government allocated Rs. 25 billion for the programme through the 2026 Budget. It is jointly implemented by the Rural Development Bureau and the Praja Shakthi Secretariat under the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.

Development projects have been identified and proposed through Community Development Councils established across all 14,007 Grama Niladhari divisions in the country.

A review meeting on the programme's overall progress for 2026 was held yesterday (November 2) at the Ministry premises in Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla, under the chairmanship of Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr Upali Pannila.

Officials revealed that the programme had recorded an overall physical progress of 54.81% and financial progress of 7.48% as of October 31, 2026.

Breakdown of development projects

Infrastructure development accounts for the largest share, with 7,880 projects, representing 51% of the total. An allocation of Rs. 12.72 billion has been made for this sector, which has recorded physical progress of 64.60%.

The industrial sector has 3,321 projects, accounting for 21% of the total, with more than Rs. 4.01 billion allocated. Its physical progress stands at 43.36%.

A further 2,436 projects are being implemented in the agricultural sector, representing 16% of the total, with allocations exceeding Rs. 3.21 billion. Physical progress in this sector is 46.40%.

The livestock sector accounts for 1,120 projects, or 7% of the total, with Rs. 1.44 billion allocated. Its financial progress has been recorded at 11.53%.

In addition, 408 projects are being implemented in the services sector with an allocation of Rs. 831.4 million, while 385 fisheries-related projects have received Rs. 645.7 million.

District-level progress

Kurunegala has the highest number of ongoing projects, with 1,628, followed by Matara with 1,526, Kandy with 1,215 and Gampaha with 1,016 projects.

As of October 31, Kandy had received the highest approved allocation, amounting to Rs. 1.768 billion. Kurunegala followed with Rs. 1.766 billion, while Gampaha received Rs. 1.427 billion.

Batticaloa recorded the highest physical progress at 78.48%, followed by Monaragala at 76.25%, Kurunegala at 75.07% and Kandy at 74.49%.

Special development projects

In addition to village-level initiatives, more than 150 special projects are being implemented at district level. Over Rs. 1.3 billion has been allocated for medium-scale special projects.

Major initiatives include:

• Purchase of a boat to improve transportation for residents of Delft Island – Rs. 235 million.

• Renovation of Malawa Wewa in Kekirawa and promotion of tourism services – Rs. 143.99 million.

• Construction of a freshwater fish breeding centre in Rasnayakapura, Kurunegala – Rs. 100 million.

• Development of the Athumalpitiya Tourism Village in Polonnaruwa – Rs. 100 million.

• Establishment of an agricultural machinery service centre in Dambulla – Rs. 75 million.

• Provision of tractors, harvesters and excavators to Agrarian Services Centres in Kosgama and Padukka – Rs. 41.71 million for each project.

Addressing the review meeting, Minister Dr Upali Pannila instructed officials to accelerate implementation to ensure that all development projects are completed and handed over to the public before the end of the year.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining public financial discipline while ensuring that the projects deliver maximum benefits to the people.

The meeting was attended by Ministry Secretary Sampath Manthrinayake, Additional Secretary for Rural Development Suminda Singappuli, Director of the Rural Development Training and Research Institute Thilini Karasnago-da, Rural Development Bureau Director Nilantha Wickramanayake, Director Pradeep Wickramage, the Minister's Private Secretary Sameera Alwis, Coordinating Secretary J.V. Susil and other officials.