Five years of development - Anuradhapura district:

Mega development drive

by L. S. Ananda Wedaarachchi in Anuradhapura

NCP Minister H.B. Semasingha donates a bicycle Road construction in full swing  Rajarat, a high-yieding paddy field

The Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts in the North Central Province are regarded as the `Rice Bowls’ of Sri Lanka. The NCP known as `Rajarata’ was called `Wevubendi Raajya’ - `the country dotted with tanks.’ Anuradhapura, the largest district in the Island with an extent of 7199 SQ KM has a population of 791,000, of which 90% live in rural areas.

The district has 22 Divisional Secretary Divisions and 694 Grama Niladari Divisions.

The Chief Minister, NCP Berty Premalal Dissanayaka said that with the rapid development of irrigation facilities in the Anuradhapura district, more lands could have been brought under paddy cultivation to boost the local food production during the last five years.

With the eradication of terrorism almost all the small agricultural tanks have been renovated and used, he said.

Priority was given to the rehabilitation of Sellige-Oya, Rambewa, Halpan Ela which lead Tantrimale and Mahapattigala in Kebitigollewa and Kotte Ela in Palagala, the reconstruction of Yoda Ela from Moraoya to Padaviya, Development of Maguruhitiyawa Ela in Nuwaragam Palatha. Renovation of Galkadawala and Madadenigala anicatas, the renovation of Wilachchiya Tank and Mahagalkadawala Tank in Rambewa. The tank renovation project alone cost Rs. 60 million, he said.

`Already 8,000 acres have been used for maize cultivation. We have targeted a paddy stock worth around Rs. 4.8 million. In addition to the paddy and maize we have improved the cultivation of chillies, ulundu and kurakkan, the Chief Minister said.

Referring to the LTTE terrorism which severely threatened peace in Anuradhapura, the chief minister said the people in the dry zone know well how the UNP government fostered terrorism and how innocent villagers were brutally killed by the LTTE in the district. It is the Mahinda Rajapaksa government that restored complete security in the entire country largely benefitted by the villagers in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts. he said.

An attempt is being made by the NCP Food Cooperatives and Trade Minister, H. B. Semasingha to alleviate poverty and uplift the living conditions of the Rajarata peasantry. He had implemented a series of projects to assist the self-employed villagers to enhance their income.

Bicycles, sewing machines and plastic crates were donated to low income families from the Provincial Council funds, to promote se

lf-employment in the province.

Asbestos roofing sheets and a housing loan of Rs 75,000 were given to lower income groups to construct their houses.

A handloom textile and fashion exhibition was also held last year to popularise and create a market for local handlooms.

The NCP Minister had constructed a road network of 7215 km costing Rs 732 million. Around 28 coop cities and 86 mini coop city shops were also set up in the NCP under the Cooperative Reorganisation Scheme implemented by the central government.

Anuradhapura UPFA, District Leader and Ayurveda Minister, Tissa Karaliyadde said that a new era has dawned on Rajarata under stewardship of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The country’s 2,500 year-old hydro civilization continues to sustain the agricultural network installed by the ancient kings. The sons of Rajarata such as Maithripala Senanayaka, K.B. Ratnayaka were committed to restore the ancient glory to Rajarata. We will do our best to make the aspirations of the peasantry a reality, he said.