The first phase of the new project to revive livelihoods of the people in Wanni started on Thursday, the Ministry of Economic Development said. The project worth 1.7 million euro (around Rs. 275 million) is funded by the German Federal Government. The project spans from 2010 to 2013 and focuses on three main components. The German Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jens Ploetner symbolically handed over agricultural equipment worth over Rs. 48 million to the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
According to the plan the project invests 850,000 Euro to revive the agriculture and fisheries sectors and another 500,000 Euro to rebuild the educational infrastructure in the region, the ministry states. Over 3,000 families in Killinochchi district and 1,700 in Mullaitivu would benefit from the project. Currently a needs assessment is being done to include beneficiaries from Vavuniya as well, according to the ministry.
(DY)