10 Cities Development Programme - Synopsis

The "10 Cities Development Programme" is a strategic initiative introduced under the Government Budget Proposals - 2026 to promote a more structured, prioritized, and evidence- based approach to urban development in Sri Lanka, The programme aims to address the limitations of past urban interventions, which were often implemented without adequate planning, feasibility assessment, or coordination among agencies. The programme focuses on preparing integrated development plans with prioritized projects for ten selected cities: Jaffna, Matale, Hatton, Batticaloa, Chilaw, Tambuttegama, Vavuniya, Eheliyagoda, Badulla, and Matara. These cities have been identified based on their regional significance, growth potential, and role in strengthening the national urban system. The key objective of the programme is to establish efficient, sustainable, and investment-ready urban centres by aligning development interventions with national policies, improving infrastructure and service delivery, enhancing economic opportunities, and promoting tourism. The planning process follows a systematic and participatory approach, including:

• Identification of development issues and opportunities

• Preparation of draft development plans and project proposals

• Stakeholder consultations with local authorities, sector agencies, and experts

• Prioritization of projects based on defined criteria

• Identification of relevant line agencies and establishment of coordination mechanisms

In parallel, feasibility studies and preliminary project assessments are undertaken to ensure technical, financial, and environmental viability. The programme also emphasizes inter-ageney coordination, with the involvement of key government institutions to facilitate approvals, funding allocation, and implementation.

Overall, the "10 Cities Development Programme" is expected to provide a clear framework for coordinated urban investment, support balanced regional development, and contribute to the development of a resilient and well-integrated urban system in Sri Lanka.