Visit of the officials of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the Finance Commission of Sri Lanka to study on Best Practices
A team of officials of the Local Government Division, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh visited the Finance Commission on 13th December 2012 to study on best practices on fiscal devolution, local government revenue collection and mechanism of allocating funds to provinces and local authorities .The team included fifteen officers and headed by Mr. Naim Ahmed Khan, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government of the Bangladesh. The objective of the study tour is to expose senior officials of six City Corporation in Bangladesh on global best practices in Financial Management, Urban Reforms and Public Private Partnerships. This exposure would enable them to improve the urban service delivery and development in Bangladesh. Mr. Sanjay Saxena, consultant coordinated the visit of the delegation.
Mr. Ariyarathna Hewage, the Chairmen of Finance Commission welcomed the delegation and explained the existing devolution system of Sri Lanka. The presentation of the Finance Commission on fiscal devolution focused on revenue sources of the Provincial Councils and Local Authorities and shortcomings of the present revenue collection system of Local Authorities.
Members of the delegation and the officers of the Finance Commission engaged in a long discussion on matters related to local governance and fiscal devolution. Bangladesh delegation members also expressed their appreciation of the high achievements of Sri Lanka in socio-economic standards including literacy rate, IMR, MMR etc.
On behalf of the delegation Mr. Khan, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government in Bangladesh thanked the Finance Commission for organizing a session to share the experience.
