Provincial road development project initiated

Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development participated in the handing over ceremony of machinery valued at approximately 115 million $ to expedite the provincial road development program and irrigation system development initiated by the Ministry of Economic Development. The handing over ceremony was held at Galle Face on December 5.

On the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Minister of Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa initiated the Provincial Road Development Project to create a good road network islandwide.

Under this program a stretch of 3,740 kms of road will be developed and carpeted in all districts during 2011. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 22,000 m. The proposed development includes carpeting of roads, improvement of pavements, bridges, drainage, and replacement of culverts.

A program has been implemented to renovate and develop the irrigation system islandwide.

The machinery was provided to the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, Ministry of Agrarian Services and Wildlife, State Engineering Corporation, Road Development Authority, Western Province Road Development Authority and several other government institutions.

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Ms. Yang Xiaping, Minister of Health Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, Minister of the Agrarian Services and Wildlife, S. Chandrasena, Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Wimal Weerawansa also participated.