Facelift for Southern province

by Rohana JAYALAL

The Highways and Road Development Ministry has launched a massive accelerated rural road development program in the Southern Province, Highways and Road Development Minister T. B. Ekanayake told the Sunday Observer . According to the Minister, the Ministry has identified many rural roads to be developed. Bridges will also be constructed in the province. The rural uplift and village reawakening program was launched under the Mahinda Chintana concept.

The Ministry plans to develop the rural road network which would help in the economic development of the southern region. The Asian Development Bank, The European Union, The World Bank and the Japanies Government provide financial assistance for the road Development project.

A part of the construction work and road development work has already been completed in Matara, Galle and the Hambantota districts. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 10,000 million, the Minister said.