Uve Wellassa program gaining ground:

Iandslide victory for UPFA in the Uva Provincial Council Election - Minister Jagath Pushpakumara

By Naalir Jamaldeen

Minister A.P. Jagath Pushpakumara

The UPFA will record a landslide victory in the coming Uva Provincial Council Election. The people who were victimised by the LTTE have rallied round the Government. There won't be any challenges in winning this election, Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister A.P. Jagath Pushpakumara said in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

He said that the Government has implemented large scale infrastructure and livelihood development projects in the province after 2005. Compared to the era prior to 2005, the province has achieved tremendous development in a short period.

Most of the people in the province have electricity and drinking water facilities. Reservoirs and irrigation canals which were in a dilapidated state have been renovated. The Government has also taken steps to develop the irrigation system in the province.

Minister Pushpakumara said that prior to the elimination of terrorism the people in the Moneragala district spent their nights in panic and fear. Restoration of peace, eliminating terrorism has made their lives prosperous. LTTE terrorists killed innocent people trespassing into villages. The Government has put end to all these problems. These people will ensure the victory of the UPFA in the coming Uva Provincial Council election.

Q: Can you elaborate on the Pubudamu Wellassa development program?

Handicraft item made out of coconut shells

Coconut fertiliser subsidy given to encourage coconut cultivation

A: The Government has allocated sufficient funds to implement development projects in the Uva province under the Pubudamu Wellassa program. Bus halts and terminals have been developed. Roads have been carpeted.

Bus halts in Wellawaya, Buttala, Moneragala and Bandarawela towns have been developed. Infrastructure development is successfully taking place in the Uva province under the "Pubudamu Wellassa program.

Q: Can you elaborate on the Moneragala-Buttala drinking water supply project?

A: The Government has planned to implement this project utilising Rs. 5,300 million provided by Belgium. Once the project is completed, over 25,000 families in the Moneragala Buttala Divisional Secretariat Divisions areas will benefit.

Most of the people in the Moneragala district except for the Janawasa areas have drinking water facilities. It is expected that drinking water problem in the Moneragala town can be solved with the implementation of this project. The Madulla Divisional Secretariat Division also has the same problem, the Government has taken steps to solve their problems too.

Q: Can you explain the present state of the coconut industry?

A: In 2010 when the Ministry was set up 2,317 nuts were produced. It increased to 2,808 million in 2011 and total coconut production was 10,290 million in 2012. Due to drought condition prevailed in 2012 Coconut production decreased to 2,505 million in 2013. During the drought periods, there will be a decrease in coconut production.

Nineteen million coconut plants were distributed to cultivators in 2013. Solid harvest can be expected from 17 million plants. Unlike other crops, it will take nearly four to five years to get harvest from coconut trees. For instance if a coconut plant was planted in 2011, harvest can be expected in 2016.

Q: Can you explain the measures being taken by the Government to develop the coconut industry?

A: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the authorities to give fertiliser subsidy even for coconut cultivation. Earlier fertilizer subsidy was granted only for paddy cultivation. A 50 kilo fertiliser pack is distributed to paddy farmer for Rs. 350 at a time when a 50 kilo fertiliser pack is sold at Rs. 4,000 in the market. Now coconut farmers are distributed fertiliser for Rs. 1,200.

Besides President Mahinda Rajapaksa has also initiated a program to distribute compost fertiliser to farmers on a subsidy basis. A farmer will be granted a Rs. 100 subsidy for a single plant. Aiming to produce poison free food items in the country this project is to be introduced.

Q: Can you explain the agriculture sector development in the Moneragala district?

A: The Government has focused attention towards developing the agriculture sector. Prior to the imperialist regime, Wellassa was self-sufficient in agriculture. The Government renovated irrigation canals and tanks which were in a dilapidated state while developing new canals to facilitate the agriculture sector. Now the people are engaged in agriculture activities. The Government has paid attention towards the industrial sector in the Moneragala district.

Q: Can you explain industrial sector development in the district?

A: Instead of concentrating towards giant industries, the Government has focused attention to develop the industrial sector at village level. Now the Ministry has introduced a mechanism to earn money from coconut shells which are thrown away in homes.

Now the people in the Moneragala district earn enough money by collecting coconut shells.

The Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat Division is known as the poorest Divisional Secretariat Division in the district. There are 14,370 families in Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat Division. Now they earn enough money by collecting coconut shells and selling it to centres set up by the Ministry.

We have also planned to enable villagers to earn earn an income from coconut husk. We will set up three coconut husk purchasing centres in the district. The Government has taken steps to introduce cottage industries in the villages utilising raw material available in close proximity. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has introduced a loan scheme at a low interest rate of five percent to promote cottage level industry at village level.

Q: Can you explain the steps being taken by the Government to improve sugar cane cultivation in the district?

A: The Government took steps to develop the sugar plants which were running at a loss by taking them over. Normally labourers are not entitled to bonus but the Government provided bonus even to sugar cane cultivators.

During the drought, President directed the authorities to grant compensation to sugar cane cultivators. The people in sugar cane cultivating areas had no access to electricity. Now they have been given electricity.

They were also given drinking water facilities. The Sevanagala area has already been given drinking water. The Pelwatte area will also be given drinking water soon.

Q: Can you elaborate the major infrastructure development projects being implemented in the district?

A: Road development has been initiated. Roads have been carpeted. The Uma Oya project is also progressing.

Nearly 96 percent of houses in the district have electricity. Within the next year steps have been taken to provide electricity to everyone in the district.

We plan to expand the drinking water facility to all parts of the district.

We have taken steps to develop the remaining reservoirs, bunds, and irrigation canals.

The Government has also taken steps to develop the education sector in the district. Teacher vacancies in schools in the district have been filled. Thirty five Mahindodaya laboratories have been set up. Facilities in most schools have been improved to the level of city schools.

If there is a shortage of teachers subject wise, it will be filled by appointing newly passed out graduates from universities.

Q: Can you tell us about the health sector development in the district?

A: The Bibile hospital has been upgraded to a Base hospital. The Moneragala hospital has been upgraded to a Base hospital and is being developed. President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his visit to Moneragala opened the newly constructed buildings of hospital.

The Government has allocated funds to develop the Wellawaya hospital. Rural hospitals have also been given ambulances and other facilities. Facilities in the Badulla hospital have been improved.

Q: Can you explain the programs being implemented in the district under the Divi Neguma program?

A: The government provides assistance to women to improve industries run by them. Minister Basil Rajapaksa has allocated sufficient funds to improve cottage industries run by women in the district. Through this mechanism the economic standards of villages will improve. The poverty level of people in the villages will be minimised.