Archives

Development of North-East essential after two decades of war - Irrigation Minister

by Trincomalee correspondent

Minister of Irrigation and Water Management Gamini Jayawickrema Perera addressing a meeting of officials held at the District Secretariat, Trincomalee on Saturday said that it has become necessary to develop the North-East province where houses other buildings and infrastructure facilities were damaged due to two decades of war. Difference of opinion is irrelevant in the development of this province.

The Minister said in these activities all of us should think as Sri Lankans and it is necessary to build trust and confidence among communities. There is no necessity to divide as government and provincial council and also as South and North.

This meeting was held to discuss the roads damaged in Trincomalee district and Minister Jayawickrema Perera said though roads do not come under my ministry. I am prepared to help repair the damaged roads. It was decided to give first priority to roads in a very bad condition and the repair works have to be done on a shramadana basis. The irrigation Ministry is to provide necessary heavy machinery for this purpose.

The Minister said the priority lists have to be prepared by Divisional Secretaries and a committee consisting of the District Secretary, Chief Secretary NEPC, other relevant officers with the assistance of Police and Army should be formed to handle this work.Those who are engaged in shramadana work for the repair of roads will be provided with rice by the World Food Programme.

He said there will be no development without roads. Roads are necessary not only for the urban population but also for the villagers. Though I am the Minister of Irrigation I am prepared to help renovate the damaged roads in this once neglected area.

The Minister said he will send some heavy machines to Trincomalee and the work should be completed within two months. The machinery should not be allowed to idle. The North-East Provincial Council will provide the necessary fuel for the machinery.

It was disclosed at the meeting that there are 16,000 homeguards who were paid about Rs. 6,000.00 each a month. Minister Jayawickrema Perera said the homeguards can be used in development activities. He said communalism should not be considered in the development activities.

District Secretary N.P.K. Nelumdeniya welcomed the guests. Those present at the meeting included the Chief Secretary S. Rangarajah, Divisional Secretaries, Irrigation and Road Development officials.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager