Did Lankan Civil Servants Complete Specialized Training in India?
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Synopsis
A transformative journey for Sri Lankan civil servants culminated in India, focusing on sustainable urban practices. This training aligns with national initiatives aimed at fostering better urban governance and citizen engagement, showcasing a commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Key Takeaways
- Focus on sustainable urban management
- Emphasis on citizen engagement
- Hands-on experience through field visits
- Collaboration reinforces bilateral ties
- Future training planned under MoU
Colombo, Oct 4 (NationPress) A cohort of 40 senior civil servants from Sri Lanka successfully participated in an exclusive capacity-building initiative at the National Centre for Good Governance of India (NCGG) from September 22 to October 3. The programme focused on the theme 'Clean Cities, Better Future: Transforming Urban Sri Lanka with Regional Practices', as announced by the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka on Saturday.
This initiative aligns with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's 'Clean Sri Lanka' campaign introduced in January 2025, alongside India's 'Swachhata Hi Seva 2025' under the Swachch Bharat Mission.
The programme's theme was strategically selected to foster sustainable urban management, promote environmental responsibility, and enhance citizen engagement, reflecting the objectives of both nations' initiatives. Participants engaged in expert-led discussions covering crucial topics such as urban planning, municipal governance, public-private partnerships in the urban sector, solid waste management with an emphasis on plastic waste recycling, innovation, and digital transformation at the local level, and urban transportation.
Field visits allowed participants to gain hands-on experience with significant initiatives relevant to the programme's theme at esteemed institutions like the National Institute of Urban Affairs, Mussoorie–Dehradun Development Authority, Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Tehkhand Waste-to-Energy Project, and the Delhi Metro Rail Project.
Participants observed innovative practices in municipal governance, urban infrastructure, waste-to-energy solutions, and citizen-centered public services.
This marks the fifth capacity-building programme under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December 2024 between NCGG and the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration, aimed at training 1,500 civil service officers over five years.
With this latest programme, the total number of trained officers under the MoU has reached 201. Due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants and a request from the Government of Sri Lanka, a sixth programme on the same theme will also be organized for another 40 Sri Lankan civil servants, as stated by the Indian High Commission.
Point of View
The collaboration between Sri Lanka and India in civil service training reflects a progressive approach towards enhancing urban governance. This initiative not only strengthens bilateral ties but also equips Sri Lankan officials with essential skills to address urban challenges innovatively, fostering a cleaner, more sustainable future for the nation.
NationPress
04/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the focus of the training programme?
The training programme focused on 'Clean Cities, Better Future: Transforming Urban Sri Lanka with Regional Practices', addressing sustainable urban management and citizen engagement.
How many civil servants participated?
A total of 40 senior civil servants from Sri Lanka participated in the programme.
Where was the training conducted?
The training was conducted at the National Centre for Good Governance of India (NCGG).
What are the future plans for training under the MoU?
The sixth programme under the MoU will cover another 40 Sri Lankan civil servants, continuing the focus on sustainable urban practices.
What was the outcome of the training?
The training aimed to enhance skills in urban planning, municipal governance, and environmental responsibility, with 201 officers trained so far.
