Mega projects for Eastern development

U. H. Ranil Kumara, Rakwana group corr.

Susantha Punchinilame, Minister of Nation Building and Eastern Development said Rs. 8,000 million has been allocated to develop the Eastern Province from this year's budget and of Rs. 2100 million has been allocated to the Ministry of Nation Building at a press conference held at Ratnapura.

He said Rs. 8,000 million will be invested to develop Ampara, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Mullaitivu districts which have 50 divisional secretariat areas including 1208 rural villages and an area of 11514 square kilo metres.

The people living in this areas will be benefited with their basic needs and their living standard will be upgraded. State income will be increased and a population of 1,819,555 will be granted with facilities in the year 2008.

The Nation Building Ministry will spend 2100 million for 2008 on these projects. Rs. 700 million for Ampara District, Rs. 650 million to Trincomalee, while the Batticaloa, and Mullaitivu districts will be privileged with Rs. 650 million and 100 million rupees respectively. Another Rs. 100 million will be invested on a housing project for the fishermen in the Eastern Regions.

The investors will be provided with many facilities to carry on their projects in the Eastern Province he said. Those who invest more than Rs. 50 million for the industries in this area will be granted a tax exemption and this encouragement will occur more than 50,000 job vacancies. A giant development programme as such will be launched within the next year, he said.