Press Releases

Capacity Building Programme for 03rd Batch of Local Government Representatives

July 31, 2026

High Commission of India

Colombo

PRESS RELEASE

Capacity Building Programme for 03rd Batch of Local Government Representatives

Third batch of 28 Local Government Representatives from 10 different political parties of Sri Lanka successfully completed a 10-day knowledge exchange and capacity-building programme at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Hyderabad. The programme spanned two states i.e Telangana and Tamil Nadu from 20-29 July 2026.

The programme covered a wide range of thematic areas designed to strengthen the knowledge and capacities of Sri Lankan local government representatives. Key sessions focused on the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the potential for achieving the SDGs through decentralized planning in Sri Lanka, drawing on India's initiatives and best practices. Participants also explored strategies for enhancing own-source revenue generation by Gram Panchayats, simple methods of economic surveying, and the functioning of primary healthcare and primary education systems in the state of Telangana.
To complement the classroom sessions, participants undertook field visits to fruit and horticulture research stations, Anganwadi Centers, cooperative banks, women-led dairy enterprises and Stree Nidhi and the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) office in Telangana to understand successful livelihood models.
The delegation also visited the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu. In the Nilgris, participants observed best practices in welfare measures and amenities for plantation workers, visited primary healthcare and education institutions, and explored women-led rural livelihood initiatives. The study tour also included an interaction with the District Collector of the Nilgiris, along with visits to tea plantations and other local economic enterprises, providing valuable insights into integrated rural development and decentralized local governance.
The programme was organised under the enhanced capacity-building framework announced by Hon. Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, during his State Visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, offering 700 customised slots annually for Sri Lankan professionals.