More durable houses for South - V. K. Indika

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Cadjan houses will be replaced with more durable houses in the Southern Province said V. K. Indika Southern Provincial Council elections UPFA group leader and ex-SPC Minister of Industries Housing and Fisheries. Already 2,800 new houses have comeup in the Hambantota District replacing Cadjan structures in keeping with the “Mahinda Chintanaya” which aims at bettering the living conditions of the rural population, he said.

Under this scheme,funds to the tune of Rs. 50,000 for the construction of a house will be channelled through the rural development society.

The program will be accelerated under a future UPFA administration in the Southern Provincial Council.

Feasibility of procuring funds from International Funding Agencies for housing development will be explored in the interest of the rural low income groups, he said.

SPC Minister Indika said that he entered politics in 1999 having contested Tissamaharamaya after the demise of his father who was the SPC Vice Chairman, V. K. Dharmasena - Ralahamy.

“During the JVP terror in 1989 our families were harassed with our house and property being destroyed. The subsequent UNP regime from 1977-1994 also crushed their political opponents and denied every opportunity to the local educated youths, he said.

He said he managed to save his life after emigrating to Russia during JVP - UNP terror.

“I entered politics, with the blessings of our Ruhunu leader and the present President Mahinda Rajapaksa. I dedicated my life to uplift the Southern agricultural and fishing community during the last years of my tenure, he said.

“I held nine portfolios including Housing, Industries, Fisheries and Lands in the provincial council. Necessary steps were taken to improve education and sports. A number of schools including Dickwalla Vijitha Maha Vidyalaya were improved and sports facilities provided he said. A special scheme to develop a selected school in each Divisional Secretary division in the Southern Province is under way, he said.

Referring to the farsighted steps taken to improve fresh water fishing by his ministry, he said the rural fishermen continued to practise traditional fishing methods which destroy the freshwater fish resources.

Freshwater fisheries societies were organised and fishermen were taught the latest techniques of fresh water fishing and were advised to engage in fishing only in the mornings and the evenings, he said.

A fresh water Fish Breeding Centre will be setup in Ridiyagama Farm to supply fingerlings to the Southern Province fresh water fish farmers, he said.

“The Provincial Industries Ministry was in financial straits. On the initiative of the Secretary and his staff, the ministry was transformed into a profit earning agency.

Handloom textiles, light engineering, coir an clay centres were revamped and necessary assistance given to the rural industrialists. The quality of their products improved.

A good market was created for the southern handloom textiles and southern crafts during my last years in office, he said.