The Department of National Planning (NPD) coming under the purview of the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs (MNPEA) organized workshops with the objective of enhancing the capacity of government officials to prepare informative, complete and detailed project proposals by means of streamlining the Public Investment Program (PIP) on 2nd  and 5th  July 2019 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. In both these workshops, over 200 officials were actively participated and contributed throughout the workshop representing  line ministries, relevant agencies and institutes.                           

This event was the second of the workshop series to disseminate and to equip officials engage in preparation of project proposals with necessary tools and techniques on the effective application of “Guidelines for Submitting Project Proposals” and the revised project format, which were introduced on January 2019 by the NPD. The first event, the inaugural workshop for high-level government officials including ministerial secretaries, was conducted on February 21, 2019.

Mr. S.S. Mudalige, Director General of the NPD in his opening remarks mentioned “Strengthening the capacity of government officials and provisioning of guidance for them to prepare informative and persuasive project proposals” is as the key objective of the workshop. As stakeholders of the country’s development, preparation of strategic and results-oriented project proposals that meet the needs of the targeted population is essential. Having such proposals, it will ensure sustained and inclusive economic growth within the limited available resource envelop while fulfilling the requirements of development initiatives at the global context such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Further, the NPD wishes to extend its support whenever stakeholders need a hand by continuing similar type of workshops in collaboration with the JICA.