Wheels move for broad development drive

COLOMBO: The Government will implement development projects on regional basis depending on the needs of the regions while implementing broad national level development programmes, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

President Rajapaksa made this disclosure at the progress review meeting of the Ministry of Regional Development at Temple Trees on Monday. Special development projects in progress in the North Central, Southern, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces were discussed at length.

The President observed that large sums of money go waste because several Ministries undertake the same job and a plan has to be evolved to prevent this mistake. Owing to fresh water getting mixed with chemicals the rural population using such drinking water often become victims of kidney diseases, he said.

He instructed the officials to prepare a plan to provide them with water filters soon. The President also instructed the Ministry officials to pay special attention to implement housing construction projects for war heroes.

Development of rural infrastructure facilities under the Southern Province Rural Economy Promotion Project, Restoration of 185 Government buildings and 410 roadways, and rehabilitation of small and medium scale enterprises devastated by the tsunami catastrophe, uplift of Capacity Development in 36 Pradeshiya Sabhas, provision of loan facilities and training under the Enterprises Development Services Supply Project, implementation of projects for minor irrigational projects, quality paddy production, production of B'onion seedlings, cashew and mushroom growing under the Commercial and Agricultural Development were other matters discussed at this progress review meeting.

With regard to Rajarata Regional Development, implementation of the Rajarata Navodaya Programme intended to minimise developmental imparities in the region, the creation of new income avenues to alleviate poverty, power projects, road development, drinking water supply projects and health and sanitation development were discussed.

Under the Uva Wellassa Development Programme, Housing and Infrastructure Development for 2006-07 in the districts of Badulla, and Monaragala for which Rs.1200 million have been allocated, was discussed.

The Sabaragamuwa Province Consolidated Development Programme under which 20,000 self-employment opportunities will be created in the Kegalle District and 5,000 self-employment opportunities in the Ratnapura District, was discussed.

The President said a review of the implementation of this self-employment project has to be made in due course.

The Ruhunu Udawa programme aiming at the development of the Ruhuna Region under the Mahinda Chintana is due to be implemented within 2007 to 2010.

The Government expects to spend Rs.3,000 million to implement the programme.

The projects "Wathu Gam Neguma" for estate uplift, and "Vavu Gam Neguma" for irrigational land development are also due to be commenced in 2007.

Regional Development Minister Gunaratne Weerakone, President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Plan Implementation Ministry Secretary and his senior officials and Regional Development Ministry Secretary Punyasiri Subasinghe and officials of institutions under the Ministry took part in the discussion.