Hambantota becomes the latest growth centre

Hambantota, one of the most underprivileged districts in the country in the past has become a growth centre today with the massive development projects launched by the Government.

Mega development projects such as Hambantota harbour, airport, roads and industrial parks that are under construction has changed the agro based economy of the district to an industrial and service hub.

Apart from these mega infrastructure projects thousands of rural development projects have been implemented by the Government to improve the living conditions of the people. According to the latest poverty statistics Hambantota is still the poorest district in the country with the lowest district official poverty line Rs.1338 (minimum expenditure per person, per month to fulfil the basic needs) lower than Rs. 1423 the national poverty line.

However, the situation is fast changing with the various projects being implemented under different Government programs.

The Ministry of Nation Building recently organised a media tour to view the ongoing rural development projects under the Ministry. Gama Neguma, Gemidiriya, Maga Neguma and Jathika Saviya programs have invested huge amounts of funds on infrastructure and livelihood development projects in rural villages of the Hambantota district.

Under the Second Community Driven Livelihood Improvement Project (Gemidiriya) of the Ministry of Nation Building Rs.922.80 million has been allocated for the rural development in 204 Grama Niladhari (GN) division in the district. In addition Gama Neguma program has allocated Rs.346.62 million for the district.

Gemidiriya has disbursed Rs.389.21 million for livelihood development projects, Rs.164.26 for infrastructure development and Rs.91.72 mln for capacity building of the people. Total amount disbursed is Rs.645.19 million. These funds have been disbursed directly to the community through 236 village organisations, the registered companies established by Gemidiriya.

The capacity building fund of a village organisation provides financial assistance for the youth to follow vocational training courses to find employment. There are around 2000 youth who have obtained loans and followed vocational training courses and 888 of them have found jobs or started self employment ventures. The capacity building fund has also been used to set up rural IT centres in the villages where 117 IT centres have been set up to cater to the needs of the villages.

Gemidiriya launched 279 rural infrastructure projects to look into the long felt needs of the villages. The participatory development approach followed by the project gives the decision making power to the community and the priority of such infrastructure projects are decided by the community themselves.

The project funds only 70% of the cost of the infrastructure project and community contribute 10% cost in cash and 20% in labour. Out of 279 infrastructure sub projects 166 have been completed with Rs.164.26 million project funds and Rs.58.53 mln community contribution. Among the infrastructure projects there are 44 multipurpose buildings, 42 rural road development projects (22.5 km), 14 culverts, 16 drinking water supply projects and 78 sanitation projects.

Under livelihood development Gemidiriya provides capital, technology, market linkages and entrepreneurship skills for the members of the village organisation to start new ventures or develop their existing ventures. The community has been organised in small groups and there are 27712 members in 4443 small groups. The members have saved Rs.57.88 million in their small groups and have obtained Rs.29.37 million loans from the small groups. GW