Massive funds to revive East

Irangika Range

The Government through the Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry has allocated Rs.1,270 million to provide opportunities for social and economic empowerment by focusing on balanced and sustainable development in the Eastern Province.

The normal life of Easterners has paved the way for rapid development in the districts of Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara after being liberated from the LTTE clutches, a Spokesman of the Nation Building Ministry told the Daily News.

People of these three districts have undergone untold hardships due to terrorism during the last three decades and it is the most urgent need and toughest challenge of the Government to uplift their living standards to bring about accelerated development in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, 749 projects will be implemented in the Ampara District. Among them 571 rural road development projects, 41 garbage disposal management projects, 14 bridges, 12 electricity projects, 32 irrigation projects, 18 social welfare projects, 45 drinking water projects and 16 educational and health projects will be undertaken by the Ministry.

Meanwhile, 302 rural road development projects, 10 garbage disposal management projects, constructing of five bridges, nine electricity and irrigation projects, 12 social development projects, 20 drinking water projects and 16 educational and health projects have been proposed for the Batticaloa district. It is estimated that around 191,300 people would benefit from these projects.

The spokesman said around 350 rural road development projects, 60 garbage disposal projects, 10 bridges, 42 electricity and irrigation projects, 10 social welfare projects, 25 drinking water projects and 17 health and educational projects will be implemented in the Trincomalee district. Financial allocations have already been made for this purpose by the Ministry, he said.