Project to improve rural roads, help poor families

Shirley Wijesinghe

A Rs. 225 million project to improve rural access roads and the livelihood development of 2,500 poor families under the Cash for Work programme was launched by Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon at the Sri Lanka Institute of Foundation last Thursday.

The fund was made available by the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) through the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The project covers 12 selected Local Government bodies in the Ratnapura, Badulla and Moneragala districts. The areas include Weligepola, Kolonna, Godakawela, Kandaketiya, Rideemaliyadda, Meegahakula, Mahiyanganaya, Passara, Siyambalaanduwa, Medagama, Thanamalwila and Madulla.

Minister Tennakoon said there will be a clear difference in the social needs of the rural and urban community. "The future of the rural masses will not be transformed if any practical measures are not taken to understand the real life pattern of them," Tennakoon stressed.

"The Minister said he considers this project as a landmark in ADB assistance provided for poverty alleviation."

ADB Country Director Richard Vokes said he is confident of the project's success.