C. Partnership Experiences of Colombo, Sri Lanka

Hon. Omar Kamil
Mayor of Colombo
Sri Lanka

Introduction

After several decades in which international assistance to South Asian nations has been unable to obtain anticipated results, regional decision-makers have reached the consensus that development is not a one-way process where the government does all the development work for the people.

To date governments and local institutions have lacked:

• Capacity and commitment
• Resources
• Management skills
• Social vision
• Effectiveness

Apart from being a vital element in good governance, building effective partnerships is now looked upon as an effective measure to improve this situation.

Colombo Municipal Council

The Colombo Municipal Council is the premier local government authority in Sri Lanka and is one of the oldest democratically elected bodies in the whole Asia region. The council has its own sources of revenue and a very high degree of autonomy in conducting its own affairs. In addition, the present Council has avoided political confrontation in municipal administration and has put greater faith in a consultative process with opposition parties.

The present administration also considers partnerships to be a vital tool for building local capacity, contributing resources and management skills, providing social vision and increasing the effectiveness of municipal governance. The Council has laid out a framework for pursuing partnerships in several key areas:

• Community-based partnerships
  In order to avoid the unsuccessful top down policymaking process, communities living in the under-served settlements have been organised into 'community development councils' that are regularly consulted for development projects and day-to-day activities. Representation at the mayoral level, as well as other executive levels, is encouraged through a systematic programme.
  
  Colombo is privileged to have a team of senior citizens in active public life who have a wealth of experience and know-how. These persons have been encouraged to serve on Advisory Committees and City Watch committees in areas of critical municipal activity, and they are in constant dialogue with the political leadership and the executive management of the council.
  
  Overall, Community Development Councils provide a bottom-up consultative framework to help ensure representation of the urban population living in under-served settlements.
• NGO partnerships
  The Municipal Council acknowledges the effectiveness of the NGO community in mobilizing local resources to address local problems and has even retained the services of several NGOs to assist with project implementation.
• Partnerships with the private corporate sector
  Thanks to contracting out solid waste collection services to the local private sector, the City has achieved significant cost savings. In the future, as the capacity of this sector increases, the City intends to move towards broader and longer-term concession contracts. Other examples of public-private partnerships can be seen in the traffic sector, and public recreational and sanitation facilities (swimming pools and public rest rooms). The Municipal Council actively involves the private sector through brainstorming sessions to elicit ideas about partnerships and investment opportunities.
  
  Direct investment by civic conscious companies in improving free dispensaries to the needy public, making horticultural improvements to traffic islands, providing amenities at public recreational spaces, and water supply and sanitation projects for needy communities have all yielded very encouraging results.
• Partnerships with international financial and development agencies
  Colombo has considerable experience using ODA to facilitate partnerships. With assistance from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), the city entered into a venture with the private sector that resulted in the development of a children's playground in a former swamp. NORAD cooperation also contributed to the success of garbage collection services provided by the private sector.

Future Trends

Empowerment of the people will be the main theme in the vision for future city development. All achievements made by building partnerships will have to be safeguarded and developed. The Council realises that partnerships will survive only through adequate understanding and the following characteristics:

• Shared responsibility among stakeholders (Responsiveness)
• Every party involved (Participatory)
• Decision by discussion (Consensus)
• Everybody knows ( Transparency)
• Work to meet needs (Strategy oriented)
• Accountability

The Council is determined to utilise these approaches to reach an ever-improving service delivery process for the people of Colombo.

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