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Socio-economic development drive in Mahaweli

by Rashomi Silva

Under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's concept of 'Re-Awakening Sri Lanka', the Government has initiated a socio-economic development programme in the Mahaweli area, Minister of Irrigation and Water Management Gamini Jayawickrama Perera said.

Perera was speaking at a meeting with farming society members of the Galenbindunuwewa Divisional Secretariat in Thambuttegama.

The Shrama Shakthi farming society signed a forward agreement with the Mahaweli Authority to buy corn at Rs.16.25 per kilo. The programme is aimed at developing the socio-economic standards of residents and bring about an attitudinal change, the Minister said.

The farmers of the area have formed a farming society called 'Shrama shakthi' to help each other in farming and in day to day life. "They have done it of their own without any guidance, yielding incredible results," he added.

The Government intends to transform farming societies into farming cooperative societies where the farming community will be part of the business community. The ministry has educated them on forward agreement, where the farmer will be assured of a fixed, pre-determined rate for their produce despite fluctuating prices in the open market.

However, if the prices increase, the farmer has a right to claim a higher rate, Perera said. World Vision NGO has initiated a Japanese funded project to uplift the living standards of Thambuttegama residents, the minister said.

The project was started in 1996. Minister of Irrigation H.G.P. Nelson and Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development P. Harrison were also present.

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