50,000 houses for war heroes in five years

Milton Dharmasinghe, Bulathsinhala Spl. Corr.

YALA: The Government has taken measures to construct 50,000 houses in five years for war heroes and families of war heroes in the three forces.

The first 10,000 houses were being constructed in rural areas throughout the country, said Minister of Industries Kumara Welgama in Yala, Anguruwatota.

The Minister was speaking at a meeting held recently at Yala, following the opening of the new weekend fair of the Madurawala Pradeshiya Sabha, Yala, Anguruwatota.

Minister Welgama also said according to the present procedure only five per cent of the children of the Armed Forces get admission to Grade one in Urban schools.

We raised the number upto eight per cent following a discussion with the Education Ministry.

The handloom industry in rural areas is deteriorating. To revive the industry the Industries Ministry is making efforts to introduce a new handloom machine imported from India. It can increase production without much labour and it would fetch more money to producers," he added.

"A weekend fair is essential for a village. There was a famous fair at Yala many years ago and if had been closed due to some reasons. I thank the Chairman of Madurawala Pradeshiya Sabha for taking steps to reopen it," the Minister added.

WP Chief Minister Reginald Cooray said Madurawala PS which was set up last year was the poorest PS in Kalutara District. For the development of the PS and the people, WP Provincial Council had been given Rs. 3.5 million.

The Monitory Commission in the Central Government wouldn't release funds as we wanted. For the development of the fair premises Rs. 1 million will be granted soon. Chairman Madurawala PS Pushpajith Seelawickrama requested all the vendors in the fair to sell goods at fair prices.

Chief Incumbent of Werawatta Purana Viharaya Ven. Madanwala Ratanasara Thera, Madurawala Assistant Divisional Secretary H.K. Somatilaka also spoke.