Fillip for tsunami hit communities in Trinco

The Government launched a Livelihood Development Plan (DLDP) to uplift the living conditions of the tsunami-affected community in the Trincomalee district. Chief Secretary North and East Province S. Rangaraja was the chief guest.

The program covers Kuchchaveli, Mutur, Echchilampattai, Kinniya and Town and Gravets of the Trincomalee district. The Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA), District/Divisional Administration of the Trincomalee district and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have identified over 284 local community-based projects and sectoral projects in the tsunami affected divisions.

According to the RADA Livelihood Coordinator, Ranjith Abeyagunawardana these projects were identified with the direct involvement of communities, stakeholders and local government. The RADA with the support of ILO conducted workshops and held focal group discussions with all stakeholders and analysed and updated information at district and national level. The special feature of all plans will be online world-wide access at dldp.rada.gov.lk/livelihood to all projects and selection facilities for financial assistance by interested parties.

"We hope to obtain financial assistance to launch 286 livelihood development projects in these areas. However, there are 75 priority projects. It needs over Rs. 700 million, said Chief Technical Advisor of the ILO, Doekle Wielinga after the launching ceremony of the DLDP in Trincomalee.

Wielinga said the ILO provides technical assistance by contributing to sustainable livelihood reconstruction and development. "There are 25 projects which are related to social protection and another 134 projects would improve the infrastructure of these five divisional areas.

The RADA identified 90 projects to improve economic development activities. The Information Management sector also receives the best attention and the ILO official said they hope to attract INGOs to invest in this area.

Rangaraja commended the RADA and ILO approach consulting communities. According to INGOs and NGOs, the tsunami affected community need help to improve their living conditions and generate income to face economic challenges.

The INGOs and NGOs in Sri Lanka said they will study these priority areas to provide funding.