• Bureaucratic officials limiting responsibilities strictly within designated bounds also blamed by PM’s Office
• Lack of proper system to consolidate data from sectors to single platform also noted
• Proposal to establish integrated data-collection mechanism covering all GNDs at Divisional/District levels, and structured mechanism with public community participation via Praja Shakthi comms./Division councils 

The Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri noted that one of the key issues related to data is the lack of proper coordination among State institutions where poor institutional collaboration and officials limiting their responsibilities strictly within their designated boundaries have led to this situation. Therefore, establishing an integrated data-collection mechanism covering all Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs) is extremely important, he further added.

Accurate data is essential for the post-disaster recovery process of the country and a structured mechanism with public participation is needed for efficient data collection, according to Premier Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. She made these remarks during a discussion held at the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the country’s recovery process following the recent disaster situation. Addressing the meeting, Dr. Amarasuriya further stated that, “One of the main challenges that we face when moving towards a new development framework is the limited access to a proper system to consolidate data from various sectors into a single platform.” Accordingly, she noted that establishing a data-collection mechanism involving both ground-level State officials and community participation is extremely important. It was further emphasised that those at the village level best understood the accurate ground realities, and that therefore, the setting up of a proper data-collection system at the Divisional and District levels is vital. 

Meanwhile, the Deputy Mass Media Minister, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne added: “The recent disaster situation gave us a clear understanding of how practical and effective are the actions led through community participation. During the recent floods, we successfully carried out relief activities in Kaduwela with the active participation of the local community. In that case, the Divisional committee model became extremely useful. If a similar community-based structure such as Praja Shakthi committees or Division councils can be used for data collection, it would be highly beneficial.”