Infrastructure upgraded in 14,400 villages

Uditha Kumarasinghe

COLOMBO: The Government under the Gam Pubudu development drive has successfully completed 14,400 people's projects by upgrading the infrastructure facilities of a large number of remote villages during this year.

The Government has spent Rs.504 million to implement these 14,400 Gam Pubudu projects. The completed projects have raised to nearly Rs. 700 million in added value, Samurdhi and Poverty Alleviation Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Under the 'Gam Pubuduwa village re-awakening programme, the Government has launched a multi-pronged development drive centred on village infrastructure development.

The Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority (SLSA) under the Jana Pubudu has been able to implement one development project in each Grama Niladari Division coming under 22 districts, the Minister said.

The main objective of the Jana Pubudu programme is to develop the basic infrastructure facilities of rural villages in which the Government or decentralised funds are not properly channelled. As a special feature, all these projects will be implemented with the full supervision and suggestions of villagers.

The SLSA grants Rs. 35,000 to implement one development project. The national ceremony of vesting 2006 Jana Pubudu projects in the public was held at Andana, Kahawatta on October 14. All other Gam Pubudu projects completed this year were also vested in the public on the same day.

Out of the recommended infrastructure projects, this year's Gam Pubudu programme has completed a large number of rural roadways, minor irrigation and waterways, small bridges, drinking water projects, environmental conservation projects, sales and collecting centres and small ferries.

During a short period, the projects implemented under the Gam Pubuduwa has successfully helped improve infrastructure facilities of a large number of rural villages with the maximum involvement and participation of the people. These projects have also covered several North-East areas including Jaffna, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara districts, she said.

During the last year, 12,897 Gam Pubudu projects have been completed throughout the country.