Rapid development in Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts

By Mohammed NAALIR

Plans are afoot to set two industrial parks in the Wanni district, Industries and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said.Minister Bathiudeen while addressing a workshop held at the Mannar district Secretariat said that the Government has implemented infrastructure and livelihood development projects in Mannar district at a cost of millions of rupees. Most of them were progressing.

The workshop was presided over by Mannar GA Sarath Ravindra, Mullaitivu GA, N. Vethanayagan and Vavuniya GA Bandula Harishchandra were also present. They analysed the projects and their progress.

The Government Information Department has organised a series of awareness campaigns to create awareness among the public about the Government’s ongoing development projects and the benefits from those projects. The Government has allocated sufficient funds to develop the North and the East under the supervision of the Government Agents of the respective districts. They are responsible for the development in the district.

Wanni district Parliamentarian Hunaiz Farook was the Chief Guest. Director of the Government Information Department, Wasantha Priya Ramanayake, Director of the Media Centre for National Development Ariya Rubasinghe, the Additional Director of Government Information Department, Chandrapala Liyanage, Deputy Director A. Hilmy Muhammad and a large number of media personel were present.

The Economic Development Ministry has implemented major development projects in Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts, according to Minister Bathiudeen.

Over 50 percent people in Mullaitivu have been provided with electricity. The Water Supply and Drainage Board has allocated Rs. 400 million to implement drinking water supply projects in the district.

Fisheries activities in Mullaitivu and Mannar have been reviewed. The fisheries industry in the region was adversely affected. The second phase construction work of Mannar Kattukkarai tank will commence shortly.

The Government has allocated Rs. 8,000 million for the Malwathu-Oya development project. Once this project is completed over 30,000 acre lands will come under plough in the both Yala and Maha Seasons in the North. The annual paddy harvest of the farmers can be doubled. A housing project will also be implemented for the poor people in the North and East.

Mullaitivu GA N. Vethanayagan said while addressing that demining is nearing completion. All Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will be resettled within three months.

The Government provided enough assistance including land and agriculture equipment to resettle people. They were given Rs. 5,000 immediately after the resettlement and each family was given Rs. 20,000 to set up a temporary house.Cows and poultry were given to farmers. They were also given technical assistance.

Vethanayagan said that the Government has allocated Rs. 46,211 million for the development projects implemented in the Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Mannar districts. The Economic Development Ministry constructed an Agriculture Training centre at a cost of Rs. 28 million under the “Divi Neguma” program at Kanakarayankulam in Vavuniya. Thousands of farmers in the district will benefit from this centre.

This centre provides guidance and training to farmers from time to time on the use of modern technology in the agriculture sector, livestock maintenance, and handling modern agricultural equipment.

This centre has conducted nearly 219 training courses since its inception and over 2,900 farmers benefited. The training Centre provides accommodation facilities to trainees. Mango, coconut, cashew, jack, breadfruit, vegetable plants which were grown in this centre is sold to farmers at a fare rate.

He said while addressing at the workshop organised for the provincial journalists under the theme “the contribution of provincial journalists in district development”.

The Government has provided assistance to improve the fisheries industry in Mannar and Thalaimannar areas. The Government provided needed fisheries equipment developing the infrastructure facilities in the region. The Government has also made soft loan for fishermen.

The fish harvest in these areas has increased considerably as a result of major fisheries sector development projects implemented in the area.

Kanakarayankulam area is being developed spending millions of rupees. The Kanakarayankulam bunt which was damaged during the conflict period was renovated under the Uthuru Wasanthaya Northern development drive at a cost of Rs. 37 million by the Economic Development Ministry. A sluice gate has also been constructed. Over 314-acre has come under plough and over 210 farmer families benefited. 300 housing units are being constructed in the Vavuniya district under the first phase of the housing scheme project for the Government employees in the North.

Under the first phase 300 housing units are being constructed for Government servants in the Vavuniya district. Under this project each employee will be given 40 perches and Rs. 500,000 loan assistance from the State Mortgage and Investment Bank through National Housing Development Authority (NHDA). A low interest will be taken.