India’s National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and Sri Lanka’s Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) have finalized the modalities for implementing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train 1,500 Sri Lankan civil service officers over five years. The first training module for 40 Sri Lankan officers will be conducted soon. Notably, before the MoU’s signing, over 200 Sri Lankan officers had already undergone training at NCGG. This MoU reflects India’s commitment to sharing its governance expertise with Sri Lanka, fostering a collaborative approach to public administration and development.
Key Highlights of MoU
- The modalities of MoU implementation were finalized during technical sessions at SLIDA, which is Sri Lanka’s premier public sector training institution for public administration.
- The MoU outlines eight training modules annually to enhance governance skills among Sri Lankan officers.
- NCGG-designed modules will focus on key governance areas, including:
- Digital initiatives such as e-governance, digitization of land records, and Government e-Marketplace.
- Public transport system management.
- Self-help group (SHG) initiatives in both rural and urban areas.
- Technology-based applications and best practices in agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.
- Public-private partnerships (PPP) for governance improvements.
- People-centric service delivery systems.
- Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG)
- Established: 2014 by the Government of India.
- Affiliation: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
- Mandate: Works on governance reforms, policy research, capacity building, and training of civil servants in India and other developing nations.
- Functions:
- Provides training and skill enhancement for government officers.
- Acts as a policy think tank for governance improvements.
- Works across local, state, and national levels in various sectors.
Significance of India-Sri Lanka Training Initiative
- Strengthens diplomatic ties between India and Sri Lanka.
- Enhances administrative efficiency in Sri Lanka through exposure to India’s governance best practices.
- Promotes digital governance, sustainable development, and capacity building for civil service officers.
- Aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, reinforcing India’s role in regional cooperation.