CLGC2019 in Sri Lanka

Changing political dynamics and challenges at a national and regional level are commonplace in our world; and these dynamics underscore the need for robust local government, where the needs of citizens are not lost in the complexities of political upheavals or political realignments. The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is no exception, where recent events had resulted in the dissolution of parliament for some weeks. The political issues in Sri Lanka have now been resolved, and the plans for the international biennial Commonwealth Local Government Forum Conference (CLGC) in Colombo 2019 are back on track.

We are delighted, that for the first time, the CLGC will be held in Asia. Scheduled for 6-9 August 2019, the conference will be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo.  Our conference seeks to raise issues around citizen centred local government where citizens are not just a focal point for receiving local government services, but rather as active participants in driving change and development at a local and national level.

We welcome our partnership with the Sri Lankan government and the Federation of Sri Lankan Local Government Authorities (FSLGA) in planning this event. We will shortly be releasing further practical information related to the conference and look forward to welcoming participants in August 2019 in Colombo.

Dr Greg Munro – CLGF Secretary-General

January 2019