Kalutara district sees tremendous development

Over 1,200 projects launched:

Chaminda PERERA

The Kalutara district which is in an extent of 1,598 square kilometers has seen tremendous development under the Maga Neguma and Gama Neguma projects implemented by the Government with massive public participation.

The dividends of development have reached the remotest areas in the district where most of the people are under poverty line and infrastructure facilities such as electricity and roads are not up to standards.

The Government launched 1,209 projects forwarded by the respective Janasabhas in the district benefiting over 120,000 people predominantly from the underdeveloped Divisional Secretariats in the district.

Special focus was laid on the dredging of irrigation canals in the Bandaragama Divisional Secretariat Division enabling more than 400 farmers to engage farming in paddy lands which had been left abandoned for a number of years .

This is the first time a Government gave a boost for the paddy farmers in the Bandaragama electorate. A number self-employment projects were launched in the Bulathsinhala, Palinda Nuwara and Walallawita Divisional Secretariats. The Nation Building Ministry last year allocated Rs. 451.1 million for the development activities in the district and 76% of it has been invested in the road development in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthanaya to provide better transport facilities to the people in the remote areas.. Roads extending over 248 Kilometers were either concreted or widened in the district under this program.

The next largest allocation is for the rural electrification schemes numbering 100 schemes at a cost of Rs. 23.6 million. A number of rural electrification schemes were launched in the Bulathsinghala Divisional Secretariat area where infrastructure facilities are in poor condition.

A series of projects aimed at spiritual development of the people were also launched with the concurrence of respective Janasabhas. The Community through the Janasabhas has been given an opportunity to make right policy decision in terms of development in their area.

Gama Neguma is a combined effort targeting the overall development of the Country.

The Nation Building Ministry provides funds and guidance to the District and Divisional Secretaries for the continuation of program.