An integrated digital database will be developed to identify the actual needs of rural communities and plan development programmes accordingly, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannila said.
The Minister made these remarks during a discussion held at the Ministry on the morning of October 13.
The discussion focused on developing the digital database under the Praja Shakthi National Programme, which is being implemented as a key government initiative to eradicate poverty.
The participants discussed ways to improve the effectiveness of efforts to eliminate rural poverty by identifying development needs and priorities and integrating data used for rural development planning into a single digital platform.
Attention was also given to the steps required to establish the database and the practical measures needed for its implementation. The importance of bringing relevant information together in one system was highlighted to ensure that development programmes are designed according to the actual needs of rural communities.
Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Gunaratne, Ministry Secretary Sampath Manthrinayake, Additional Secretary Menaka Herath, Director of the Institute of Rural Development Training and Research Thilini Surangika, and officials of the Praja Shakthi National Secretariat also participated in the discussion.
