Backward villages lighten up with Gama Neguma

HINIDUMA: The Hiniduma electorate, one of the most backward areas in the Galle District has received assistance to uplift the lives of its people through Gama Neguma Programme, Vocational and Technical Training Minister Piyasena Gamage said.

Addressing a ceremony held to distribute electricity to Batuwangala area in Neluwa the minister said to focus on the country’s development. Mahinda Chintana was the best programme put forward by any Government since independence for economic development and development of several sectors.

The Minister said it is vital to implement programmes in particular to assist Government officers.

“People of Neluwa, Batuwangala, Kosmulla, Gigummaduwa, Thabalagamuwa, Millawita Kanda and Akkara Seeya in Opatha will receive electricity. These villages border the Sinharaja forest.

It is a dream come true to the people of this area that a road through Kosmulla and Duwiliella was built at a cost of Rs. 7.8 million and a new bus was provided. During this short period millions have been spent on road construction and electricity projects in the Hiniduma electorate.

People of the divisional secretariats of Neluwa, Tawalama, Hiniduma and Nagoda enclosing 139 Grama Seva Divisions in the Hiniduma electorate voluntarily rendered the services every poya day to a “Shramadana” Programme to improve public facilities in their villages, thereby setting an example to the whole country,” the Minister added.

The Rs. 9.5 million electricity project was implemented by the Power and Energy Ministry with the Chinese Government’s assistance.

Chairman of Southern Local Authority I. Wijayawantha, Chairman Neluwa Southern Local Government Authority M.I.G. Sunil, the Ministry’s Co-ordinating Secretary and officials of the Electricity Board were also present.