Massive development drive under way - PM

Irangika RANGE and Sandasen MARASINGHE

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka told Parliament yesterday that the Government has embarked on a massive development drive in the aftermath of the war.

Speaking during the Vote on Account debate, the Premier said Sri Lanka through its strong economic policies facilitated speedy development and investment.

"We are following efficient policies and strategies in a transparent manner to promote investment and economic development to ensure a high standard of living," Prime Minister Wickramanayaka said.

Arrangements have been made to develop and rehabilitate the road network under an estimated cost of Rs. 494,385 million, he said.

"We have been able to prepare a proper mechanism for the country's road structure which will contribute largely to accelerate development activities," the Prime Minister said.

Construction work of the Southern highway is progressing successfully. Meanwhile, Bentota, Manampitiya and Katugastota bridges have already been vested to the public, he said. Plans are afoot to provide electricity for 90 percent of the population in the country by 2010.

"We have targeted to add an additional power supply of 200 MW to the national electricity grid due to increased domestic and commercial electrical needs of the people," the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, US$ 90 million has been allocated to provide a power supply of 270 MW to the national electricity grid next year, he said.

The Upper Kotmale power plant being constructed at a cost of Rs. 5,900 million will generate a power supply of 150 MW to the national grid. The Government has provided Rs. 4,000 million out of Rs. 5,900 million for this project, he said.

The transmission network will also be expanded spending Rs. 3,300 million.

The project is expected to be completed by 2011. Sub grids in Katunayake, Valachchenai and Biyagama will also be completed immediately, the Prime Minister said.

The Trincomalee coal power plant project is being constructed with both local and Indian funds amounting to Rs. 8,000 million.

The SME sector has been prioritised. The SME sector development project will be implemented at a cost of Rs. 12,000 million while the Government will invest Rs. 4,400 million.

The Government will invest Rs. 4,400 million out of Rs. 12,000 million for the project. "We have also taken steps to provide drinking water and sanitation facilities for the betterment of the people. The Australian Government has pledged to finance several drinking water projects. Meanwhile the Jaffna water supply and sanitation project will be completed by 2011 at a cost of Rs. 11,000 million. The Government has invested Rs. 8,000 million for the project, the Prime Minister said. Around 600 community water supply and sanitation projects are nearing completion. The project has cost Rs. 799 million which will be commissioned soon, he said.

"We have taken measures to create Sri Lanka as the best naval hub in the Asian region. Under this, the Colombo Port expansion project is underway with financial assistance from Denmark. It will be completed by 2011.

The Hambantota Port is currently under construction with financial support from Sri Lankan and Chinese Governments, Premier Wickramanayaka said.

Meanwhile, the Galle Harbour development project and Weerawila Airport project will be completed by 2012 under an estimated cost of Rs. 6,000 million and Rs. 12,500 million.

The construction work of the BIA development project phase I and II are under construction at a cost of Rs. 13,000 million.

In order to strengthen public transport, the Government has imported 100 railway carriages and 15 power sets at a cost of Rs. 5,000 million from China. The Government has invested Rs. 1,400 million for the project. Construction work of the Matara-Kataragama railway line has been initiated at a cost of Rs. 6,000 million, he said.

The Kelani-valley railway line spanning to Hambantota via Ratnapura will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 17,500 million. Meanwhile, the Menik Ganga development project and Deduru Oya project are under way at a cost of Rs. 1,400 million and Rs. 720 million.

The Government has also allocated Rs. 32,000 million and Rs. 21,000 million and Rs. 24,000 million for the development of Health, Education and Science and Technology sectors.