Development drive at periphery

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The Government had implemented development projects in as many as 8,000 villages under the "Samurdhi" and "Gama Neguma" programs, said National Development Media spokesman and Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

He said that under 'Mahinda Chintanaya' economic development should be achieved islandwide through the creation of economically viable villages.

The policy pursued by all previous governments was to launch development activities only within Colombo and its suburban districts.

Livelihood development being an integral component under "Gama Neguma" program envisages the economic uplift of the rural community through identification and implementation of income and employment generating projects within the village, he said.

In 2008, altogether 23,912 infrastructure projects and 39,272 livelihood projects had been completed.

The Minister said that the Government had allocated a minimum amount of Rs. 2 million per each Grama Niladari area under the 'Gama Neguma' program. A series of road construction and rehabilitation projects are in progress islandwide under the 'Maga Neguma' program, he said.

Referring to some of the mega projects such as Hambantota Harbour, Kotmale Hydropower Project, Norochcholai Coal Power Project and the Southern Expressway, the Minister stressed that a number of development projects are being implemented in most of the remote districts.

A new administrative building complex and a 1,001 bed fully fledged new hospital will also be built in Kotavila while Godagama and Henwala towns will be developed under the Matara development project, he said.

Water problem in Moneragala district will be solved after the completion of the Uma Oya Project. The implementation of the Kegalle by pass road will bring a lasting solution to the traffic congestion in the Kegalle town, he said.

Referring to the Hambantota district, the Minister said that a new office complex which is estimated to cost Rs. 2.7 billion is in progress and 50 per cent of its construction has already been completed.

An international conference hall with seating capacity for 1,500 participants, a government servants housing complex and a public library similar to Colombo's would come under this model town project, he said adding that construction work of these projects is nearing completion.