Jathika Saviya boosts livelihood development

Colombo district experiences:

Shirley Wijesinghe

With the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, regional development has taken a decisive turn.

Progress and policies of the country’s regional development have undergone a complete change following the amendments to the Provincial Councils (PC).

The system has a Chief Minister and Board of four Ministers who exercise power of the PC.

An opportunity has arisen to review the development success of the Colombo district - one of the three districts in the entire Western Province.

The development of infrastructure and livelihood in the Colombo district has gathered momentum with the launch of the Jathika Saviya – Gama-Neguma master development drive by the Government. The Government spent over Rs.1,200 million on infrastructure and livelihood development projects in the district, Colombo District Secretary G.A.J. Sylvester said.

“The funds flow in an unprecedented manner for these projects through the Government, local and foreign sources,” Sylvester said.

Apart from that, the District Secretariat received funds to construct new premises for Ratmalana, Moratuwa, Maharagama, Thimbirigasyaya and Kesbewa Divisional Secretariats.

According to the sources, the total allocation received from the Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry for 2007 is Rs.200 million and for the year 2008 is Rs. 513 million. Allocation received for the year 2007 was decentralized at the Divisional Secretariat level under the supervision of Colombo Divisional Secretary.

The total of Rs. 135 million has been released among eight divisional secretariats namely Kaduwela, Kolonnawa, Homagama, Maharagama, Padukka, Hanwella, Kesbewa and Moratuwa. Under the decentralized capital budget program, 944 projects have been completed in 13 divisional secretariats at a cost of Rs. 915 million for the year 2008. Rs. 248 million has been reserved to uplift the under-developed areas of the district.

Of the total 643 projects approved for 2008, 541 projects are for road development extending to 90 Km.

Thirty three projects have been identified for irrigation rehabilitation which is the second largest component at a cost of Rs. 17 million.

A sum of Rs. 34 million has been set aside for livelihood development.

The total number of beneficiaries of the entire 643 projects are 72,922. Sources added that 686 agricultural, 526 industrial, 77 marketing and services, 22 fisheries and livestock projects have been successfully completed throughout the district under the Samurdhi Livelihood Development Program. Construction of 103 houses for Samurdhi beneficiaries has been completed under the Samurdhi Diriya Piyasa housing development program.

In the year 2008, the road sector development of the Colombo district was the key area supported by the Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry.

The Meegoda, Attygalle road is one of the road development projects funded by ADB and constructed under the supervision of Western Provincial Road Development Authority.

The district in an extent of 699Sq. Km. has a population of 2,421,000 in 13 Divisional Secretary Divisions and 557 Grama Niladhari Divisions.

As the commercial capital of the Island is in this district, it generates a heavy volume of production of goods and services.