Gampaha group correspondent

The District Coordinating Committee meeting is an important meeting where all the districts development projects are discussed and decisions taken, hence all local government chairmen should make it a point to attend it without fail. They should not take it as a joke, said Minister of Power and Energy, Karu Jayasuriya.

The Minister made this remark when he found that several chairmen were absent when items were taken up for discussion. He added all government officers too should attend this meeting.

D. K. Ruparatne, Gampaha said that the Gampaha Heneratgoda Botanicial Gardens will be expanded and eight acres adjacent to it will be acquired for further activities, to make it more attractive for foreign and local tourists. The Agricultural Department has allocated Rs. 15 lakhs for this purpose.

A children park, a mini zoo, an open air theatre, boating facility and more flowering plants are among new activities envisaged in the plan.

Lakshman Hewapanna, Deputy Director, Planning said that the decentralised budget funds have been increased to Rs. 50 lakhs per MP but still two members and an MP have so far not sent proposals. Early action has to be taken on these projects.

The committee approved that the Sribodhi Stadium should be taken over by the Gampaha Municipal Council for maintenance.