Matara kicks off:

Govt's priority - Infrastructure for rural livelihood

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE in Matara

The open economy introduced in 1977 followed by the Provincial Council system brought new opportunities and created a new political culture to the country.

The so called "gentleman politics" was something hard to find and for the first time since independence infighting for preferential votes within the party was also added to the electoral system. Since then successive governments projected development and reduced essential prices to woo votes whenever there was an election.

However, this government has changed this concept and with or without elections development has been given priority.

Minister of Mass Media Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said that development commenced in the Matara District long before plans to hold the Southern elections were even thought of.

The prime objective of the Government is to provide infrastructure to the rural population so that they too could enjoy better livelihoods.

There were times during previous Provincial Council elections, when concrete pillers were just put by the side of the roads to show that plans were underway to electrify rural roads. This was a "carrot" for voters to vote for the existing government. However, soon after the elections were over in that particular Provincial Council, the same concrete posts were taken and dumped in other areas where elections were conducted.

"The elections for the Southern Province would be held next month and development would continue," he assured.

"This is not something we do to woo voters, but development is fulfilling the promises we made during the general elections," he said.

The construction of the biggest hospital of the Southern Province has commenced with Korean Government aid in Godagama. This is a 1,500-bed hospital and Rs. 6.1 billion project with the Korean Government funding Rs. 560 million.

Rs. 300 million has been already invested and this is expected to be completed in several months and the administrative complex too would be built in this proximity.

"We hope to move all the Government buildings to this area minimizing the congestion in the Matara town," the Minister said.

Several other rural hospitals along with post offices too would be developed simultaneously.

Commenting on the much talked about extension of the rail track from Matara to Kataragama, he said that phase one is nearing completion.

"Acquiring of land for 27 kilometres of the rail track is completed and some of the bridges too have been completed," he said.

Rs. 6.1 billion has been allocated for the project. In addition the second track of the existing Colombo-Matara rail line and other improvements too are being implemented with an investment of Rs. 3.8 billion.

The Colombo-Matara Expressway is in track and is to be completed next year making Colombo and Matara City accessible in less than two hours.

One of the biggest projects to usher prosperity to the Matara District would be the Godagama economic centre costing Rs. 3,024 million. The Government is now on the look out for land for this project.

The objective is to provide infrastructure facilities for buyers and sellers to meet in the field of fisheries, agriculture and the venue would also help companies to transfer technology to rural masses.

Construction work to build the new commercial and government complex in Hakmana

The weekend pola built at a cost of Rs. 4 million

Grind of men and machines

Investments have also been made to put out several luxury tourist hotels specially in the Weligama area.

Road Development emphasis has also been laid for development of the dilapidated road network.

"This is a multi billion rupee task which is now being successfully completed linking inaccessible roads with main cities cutting travel time by several hours," he said.

Saturday Pola

Hakmana is another area which is rapidly being developed with the Government allocating Rs. 3,500 million for the first stage of development. Chairman, Hakmana Pradeshiya Sabha, G.H. Halpage said that a weekend Pola at a cost of Rs. 4 million would be opened end of the month by the President. There would be 420 shops in this Saturday "Pola".

The sports complex would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 310 million. In addition, constriction work is going on for a new four-storied administrative and business centre for the area investing over Rs. 100 million.

The Denagama Lake, a picturesque sight is being developed giving opportunity for an investor to promote eco tourism.

Recently, Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa, chairing a special meeting to review progress of development in the Matara District, agreed to grant 325 million rupees at the rate of 500,000 rupees to each of the 650 Grama Niladhari Divisions within the district under the 'Gama Neguma'.

In addition to setting apart 100 million rupees for Provincial road development, 70 million rupees will be allocated to complete the provision of electricity this year.

Rs. 45 million was set apart for development schemes of the Southern Development Authority.

It was agreed at this meeting to extend the grants needed to develop 19 dilapidated bridges. Ministers and government officials gave attention to the removal of obstacles in the re-cultivation of fallow paddy lands in the district. Four fisheries harbours are being developed with cool room facilities.

Rural electrification too is a priority and work done in the previous two years has increased the supply by almost 8 per cent.

"We assure that all households in the entire Matara district would have electricity by next March," he promised once again proving development is not election oriented.