Triple programme never introduced in history of Sri Lanka - Chairman Pannala PS

‘Jathika Saviya - Gama Neguma’ is a real village re-awakening programme as it is projected to achieve three goals simultaneously. Such a triple objective programme was never introduced in the history of Sri Lanka, the Chairman Pannala Pradeshiya Sabha Ranjith Lansakara said.

He was speaking at the simple ceremony held to mark the laying of a foundation stone for concreting Wadumunnegedara-Kayayaya Road under Jathika Saviya Gama Neguma programme.

The Chairman added, under this programme Pannala DS division had received Rs. 42.5 million for the development of 87 Grama Niladhari divisions. The necessary development project was decided by the villagers at the meeting of the Janasabha. That is also a novel development strategy. The system adopted so far was the officials who are unaware of the boundaries of the villages nor their aspirations decided the project and the villagers had to admit that.

He said, Gama Neguma follows a different strategy. The villagers decide the project the officials approve that and allocate funds. Each GN Division receives an allocation of Rs. 5 lakhs, Rs. 3.87 lakhs for infrastructural development and Rs. 75,000 for livelihood development of the villagers. That amount will be given to the villagers for self-employment projects as a loan. The recipients have to repay the loan in instalments so that it can be used as a revolving fund to give others also to develop their livelihood.

The Chairman said, according to my point of view, the most important factor in Jathika Saviya Gama Neguma Programme is the allocation of Rs. 50,000 for spiritual development.

This is the first time in the history the Government intervenes into spiritual development. So far it was a subject under the temple, church, mosque or kovil. Under this programme the village is given the responsibility of developing moral qualities of the villagers.

So in addition to the religious activities the villagers also can organise programmes to develop moral qualities of the fellow villagers. The Government had realised the fact that development is incomplete unless the moral and ethical qualities of the villagers are considered.