Rapid development plan for Central Province

by S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN- Kandy South Group Correspondent

Every electorate in the Central Province will be developed and 25 kilometres of roads will be carpeted initially.

Good roads are essential for economic development as then only produce could be transported quickly, cheaply and safely, said Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa.

He was speaking after inaugurating the carpeting of the Hunnasgiriya-Bambarabedda road for a stretch of seven kilometres at an event in the Hunnasgiriya town.

Minister Rajapaksa said the Mahinda Chinthana envisages the vast development of the country by building roads, bridges, water schemes, harbours, airports and electrification schemes. "People could see for themselves that these promises have been kept".

Chief Minister of the Central Province Sarath Ekanayake said Rs. 74 million has been allocated for the development of the Hunnasgiriya- Bambarabedda road. Once it is completed, farmers in the area will not have any difficulty in bringing their produce to the town and from there they could be transported to various parts of the island. There will be more competition to purchase and as a result, the farmers will get a good price for their produce.

The Chief Minister said that good roads are essential to link the villages with the towns. Time is important and the village produce must be transported quickly, without allowing them to perish as fresh items fetch premium prices in the market.