Mega development drive in NCP

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Massive development projects were implemented in the Anuradhapura district when the Dayata Kirula program was held there last year.

The North Central Province NCP consists of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts.

Projects worth over Rs.15 billion on road development, housing, rural development and cooperatives were completed in 2011-2012, said former NCP Minister of Cooperatives, Food and Trade, Rural Development Industries and Housing H.B. Semasingha.

Semasingha who has represented national level and provincial level politics held Tourism and Cooperatives Cabinet portfolios in the Central Government up to 2004.

At the Provincial Council elections in 2004 and 2008, he was appointed Cooperatives, Food and Trade Industries and Housing Minister.

Sunday Observer interviewed former NCP Minister about his plans for the province.

Q: You have served NCP as a senior Minister for more than eight years. What kind of progress were you able to achieve in the province.

A: I was assigned Food and Trade Cooperatives, Road Development, Rural Development, Textile and Industries which were so close to the daily life of the people. I strongly believe that the successful implementation of development projects with transparency and in time have a major impact on the lives of the community.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa after the eradication of terrorism, said that the people in Anuradhapura who stood against LTTE terror should be rewarded with development projects.

Among development priorities, the foremost is road development. Among such projects are the road from Ranpathvila to Nikatunaweva, Rotaweva to Trincomalee junction, Tammannawa to Ihalagama, Kudanelubave to Pavakkulama, Janahitha junction to Vijayapura, Kalattawa to Mihintala junction, Pulleare junction to Jaffna junction.

A developed road network is an essential part of the community life. A successful transport service cannot be maintained without developed road network. Rs.873 million was spent to upgrade the present road network alone.

Q: Sri Lanka is one of the countries in the SAARC region which provides electricity for majority of the rural people.

Over 95 percent of the villagers have obtained electricity. What is the progress achieved in rural electrification in NCP?

A: Most of the electrification schemes had been completed specially in the Anuradhapura East electorate.

Over Rs.72 million was spent for this purpose. The CEB will supply the electricity to the consumers before the end of December this year.

Q: Inhabitants in remote villages need shelter. It also comes under you. What action have you taken to look after them?

A: A responsibility of the government is to provide food, shelter and clothing to the villagers who form the majority of the population.

We follow our seniors such as former Speaker and Senior Minister K.B. Ratnayaka in uplifting the living standard of Rajarata peasentry.

We listen to their grievances and work for them. Tiles were distributed to over 3,000 families on a directive from President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Former Speaker K.B. Ratnayaka launched The Thuruvila Water Supplying Project to provide drinking water to the Rajarata villagers. Over 70 percent of the Thuruvila project was completed and the balance will be completed soon on a directive from the President Rajapaksa. Sanitary facilities were provided to the schools in the province costing Rs.4 million.

Q: You took the initiative to set up the Polgolla - National Cooperative College. During your tenure as Cooperative Minister in the Central Government many progressive changes were made in the Cooperative sector in Sri Lanka. What progress you made in the NCP Cooperative sector.

A: NCP Cooperative Movement had a new lease of life during the past years. The Cooperative Movement is essential to uplift the livelihoods of the poverty stricken people.

NCP has 28 Multi purpose Cooperative Societies. An annual grant of over 65 million to the Cooperative Development activities was made. UK, USA, Germany, The Netherlands and even India the Cooperative Movement plays a vital role in the development sphere.

The NCP Cooperative Movement took a significant turn during the past few years.

A number of liquid milk producing, yoghurt and milk based centres, spices processing and packaging outlets, Cooperative hospitals and fuel stations were set up in NCP during the past few years.

Q: What are your future plans to develop the NCP?

A: I have not acquired new lands or put up new mansions. But I "earned" people. I have never accepted any commissions during the last 40 years of my political career.

A number of development projects were implemented within a short period due to the support and advice of President Rajapaksa.

The government gives priority to development. Some politicians do not work on time. They do not fully utilize funds and return the balance back to treasury after the lapse of the financial year. The funds allocated to finance development projects disbursed and properly accounted for.