Mega development projects under way in Wellasse

By Naalir Jamaldeen

Paddy cultivation

A concreted country road

A carpeted road

The Economy of Moneragala district is based on agriculture. Since the kingdom era it was famous for agriculture and self-sufficient in paddy production. There had been a well-developed irrigation system in the Moneragala district. The name 'Wellasse' clearly highlights this fact, I.S.D. Dayaratne, Coordinating Secretary of the Minister of Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister A.P.Jagath Pushpakumara said.

A large number of infrastructure and livelihood development projects have been implemented across the district within two years, he said.

While reading the statement of Minister Pushpakumara at a workshop organised for provincial journalists in the Moneragala district by the Government Information Department in Moneragala, Dayaratne said that a large number of under-developed villages in the district have been developed under "Gama Neguma" program. Rural roads have been developed by laying carpet and gravel. A solution has been found to the drinking water problem of people. Several development programs have also been implemented in Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat Division. Jayaminigama Development project was also among them.

Dayaratne said quoting from the statement of the Minister that community based and mega scale drinking water supply projects were implemented.

Coconut cultivation

He said that "Divi Neguma" program has immensely helped improve the living and economic standards of people in the district. A special program has been implemented to promote coconut cultivation across the country including Moneragala district on a concept by Minister Pushpakumara.

Meanwhile, Director Planning and Assistant Commissioner of Samurdhi of Moneragala District I. A. Niel Fernando said that construction work of Moneragala District Secretariat office is progressing. The cost of the project is Rs. 429.84 million. Moves are under way to shift the Moneragala District Secretariat to a new building within a couple of months.. The offices which function under the Moneragala Government Agent will be accommodated in the new building.

The Departments and Institutions which function under the Moneragala District Secretariat are expected to be shifted to new building, he said.

Fernando said that Moneragala District Postal Department, Disaster Management Centre, Land Department, Child Protection Department, Media, Land Registrar, Land Utilisation Department, Accounting, Planning, Statistics and Social Security will be accommodated in the new building.

The Government has implemented a large number of livelihood and infrastructure development projects across the country covering all districts. Equal priority has been given to all districts. The role of the media is pivotal to take the message of development to the masses, according to Deputy Information Director Hilmi Mohammed.

He said that the technical advancement has bridged the gap between the continents. Required information can be gathered over the Internet. The Technical advancement have also demolished the barriers that remained between provincial and editorial journalists. Now all are treated equally by the Government.

The real outcome of development can be achieved only when it reaches the people. The media's play in important role in making the people aware of ongoing and concluded development projects across the country.

Road development was very successful. Fuel wastage, time and distance have come down due to the road development. Construction of bridges have bridges across certain rivers have bridged two districts in the same province, Mohammed said.

The people harvest the real outcome of peace and the country's economic growth rate has also increased within the concluded four years, he said.

Boost

Moneragala district consists of 128,065 families numbering 448,194 persons. There are 11 Divisional Secretariat Divisions covering 319 Grama Niladari Divisions. Altogether there are 1,324 villages in the district and consists of 10 local Government bodies. There are 264 schools and 18 hospitals in the district.

Maize cultivation

Two women work in the chena

The Government has taken all efforts to boost the agriculture sector in the district. The Government has allocated sufficient funds to encourage the farmers and to provide them required facilities. Rupees 42.56 million was allocated by the Government to improve the agriculture sector alone. Crop seeds, fruit plants, vegetable seeds were distributed among the farmers in the district under the Divi Neguma program, according to Fernando.

The Divi Neguma program has taken steps to provide 448,328 crop plants in the future among the farmers in the district. Rs. 10.42 million was allocated to improve the industrial sector in the district. Under the industrial sector development project 54 projects were inaugurated in the district this year.

Altogether 8,337 agriculture, 81 fisheries, 2,577 livestock development, 4,687 entrepreneur development projects, and 268 other development projects were implemented in the district this year.

Many housing units were constructed for the under-privileged people in the district and the Government intends to construct more housing for people who live below the poverty line in the district. Rupees 515.93 million was spent in the district under the Jathika Saviya and Gama Neguma programs.

Accordingly 213, culverts, 55 causeways, 1 bridge, and 1,200 roads were gravelled and concreted in the district. Under the Jathika Saviya and Gama Neguma programs 1,056 projects were implemented in the district at a cost of Rs. 515.93 million. A large number of community based projects were implemented under in the Moneragala district under the Jathika Saviya and Gama Neguma programs.

A large sketch of road network have been developed in Bibile, Wellawaya and Moneragala Divisional Secretariat Divisions.

Model

The Government allocated Rs. 13.76 million for livestock development in the Moneragala district under the same program, he said.

Moneragala district has been shortlisted as one of the fast developing district in the country, according to Additional Moneragala Government Agent E.K.A. Suneetha.

While addressing the Government Information Department's workshop, Suneetha said that all important sectors are included in the development agenda. The district will turn into a model of art district soon.

She said that the district is achieving its development goals rapidly. The district has come a long way forward in the physical and social development compared to previous years. The fundamental problems of people are being addressed.

A large number of problems of people have already been solved. Some problems are to be solved yet. Those problems will also be addressed soon. As a neighbouring district to Hambantota President Mahinda Rajapaksa also extends a helping hand to develop Moneragala district.

Moneragala District Secretariat

Restoration of peace in the North and the East has further expedited even the development of other districts. The utilisation of natural and human resources have also increased. The unemployment problem of youth is also being addressed by the Government by helping them under the Divi Neguma program. Sustainable development goals can be achieved only when its own resources are used along with the resources from outside. Infrastructure development should accompany the livelihood development. Priority should be given to the resources which are available in the district.

The first dry maize preservation centre store complex were set up in the Mihintale Divisional Secretariat Division in the Anuradhapura district by a private company. The company has set up its second centre in Moneragala, according to K.S.T. Perera, Managing Director of the institution.

He said that maize which were purchased from farmers will be preserved in the preservation centre and will be kept in stores. And will be supply to farmers during the season on reasonable price.

A spokesman attached to the institution said that they were ready to purchase maize harvest from farmers at reasonable price.

The Moneragala plant is expected to start operation by April next year. A large number of maize farmers in the district will benefit, Perera said.

He said that four silos have been constructed. Fifteen thousand tons of maize can be stored in the yard. Over 50 metric tons of maize can be preserved per hour in the machine.

The company also hopes to encourage the farmers towards soya beans cultivation in the Yala season, he said.