Abstract:
In democratic states, local governance has been given much importance. The process of local
governance paves the way for inter-relationships between the state and the public and the
effectiveness of this inter-relationship depends upon the active contribution of local government
officials in making citizens’ lives better. So, the main objective of this study is to examine
whether the local government institutions at present have been able to provide meaningful
divisional developmental services to the general public. This study also aims at examining the
role and contribution of local government officials/ people’s representatives and the awareness
of the general public with regard to divisional developmental services. In conducting this study,
it is assumed that though people’s representatives play a major role in providing developmental
services, their duties in this regard have not been properly fulfilled and the general public does
not possess a thorough knowledge about the public developmental services provided by local
government institutions. This study is based on both primary and secondary data.
Questionnaires were distributed and discussions were conducted to obtain primary data while
relevant books, research reports, articles have been referred to get secondary data. Through
multi-stage and random sampling methods, 60 registered respondents from Bisowela,
Asideniya and Namberiyawa Grama Niladari divisions of Galigamuwa Divisional Council were
selected for the study. Additionally, interviews were conducted with the chairman, 6 public
representatives from both the government and the opposition and 5 officials in Galigamuwa
Divisional Council. This study concludes that even though at divisional level, power has been
delegated to sub-state entities, the necessities of citizens have not been adequately fulfilled by
local government institutions. Also, a majority of public representatives are not fully aware of
their role in providing divisional developmental services. Further, this study concludes that the
lack of adequate funds and the unequal distribution of community development programmes
are some of the reasons behind ineffective divisional developmental services. As
recommendations, this study proposes that public representatives in every divisional council
should be given proper training to educate them on their role in providing divisional
developmental services and public awareness programmes on divisional developmental
services should also be conducted. Also, it is recommended to allocate increased funds for
community development programmes.
