Army helps in Govt's development drive

The Sri Lanka Army helped the government save nearly Rs.1,500 million on expenditure by contributing labour towards development projects last year.

The Army's active contribution to a large number of projects in the health, education, sports and urban beautification sectors last year, helped the government's development efforts in a big way, Army Spokesman Brig Ruwan Wanigasuriya said. He said the funds allocated for the SAARC Cultural Centre was Rs.907 million and the savings the Army helped make by way of contributing labour was estimated at Rs. 110 million.

Whereas an allocation of Rs. 1477 billion had been made for the Medical Faculty building complex, the Army's contribution had effected a saving of nearly Rs.492 million out of these funding. "The Gold Centre Trade Complex project was estimated to cost Rs. 304 million and Army labour helped save of Rs. 101 million on this project", Brig. Wanigasuriya said.

The Army had contributed towards more than 20 major building projects in this manner last year Brig. Wanigasuriya added.