Japan funds rural development in Badulla

THE Japanese Government will provide US$ 90,110 (approximately Rs. 9 million) towards the projects for supporting rural development in Uvaparanagama, Badulla District. The project is to be implemented by the Uvaparanagama Pradeshiya Sabha in Badulla.

The grant will be utilised for rehabilitation of the Galahagama irrigation scheme, construction of the Welihela Ladduma Water Supply Project and improving the Kahatapitiya - Hangiliela Road.

The Galahagama irrigation scheme, which provides irrigation water to 250 acres of cultivated land was destroyed by heavy rain in December 2004 and since then the water distribution for agricultural lands are at a standstill.

This has severely affected over 600 farmer families depending on the Galahagama irrigation scheme. The community has been facing hardships due to inadequate basic facilities including pipe borne drinking water. R

esidents get water from dug wells or streams, which can be unhygienic and unprotected. During the dry season, people walk long distances in search of water for drinking purposes.

The condition of the road from Kahatapitiya - Hangiliela, which was constructed during the British rule, is dilapidated due to lack of maintenance.

The project aims to accomplish a long felt and urgent need of the communities. With the implementation of the project, it is expected that the farmers whose livelihood is based on agriculture will benefit from the uninterrupted supply of water for farming.

This will improve farmer income by increasing productivity, intensity and provision of uninterrupted irrigation water to fields.

The project also targets to provide drinking water supply to over 300 families in and around Ladduwa in the Uvaparanagama Pradeshiya Sabha. Improvements to road network will upgrade the transport system.

The Japanese Government has assisted in many ways for the development of poor villages in Sri Lanka. Through this project, Japan hopes that the livelihood of rural people in Uva will significantly improve. The signing of the Grant Contract took place at the Embassy of Japan yesterday.