Foreign aid usage improves

Hiran H.Senewiratne in Matara

The Government is planning to enhance utilization of foreign aid/funds for development projects by strengthening the Government entities ,said Mass Media and Information, Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

At present foreign aid utilization is approximately 35 percent, which needs to be increased to a higher level with the opening of new development projects in the country including the North and East, he said. “With the dawn of the peace in the country, the Government has launched many development projects with Government and donor funds covering the whole country.

Therefore we need to enlighten the public on those development projects, which is the need of the hour, Minister Yapa Abeywardena said at the inaugural ceremony of the National Development Media Center (NDMC) in Matara. He also made these comments when a group of media personnel visited Matara to observe development activities in the district and said that lack of information caused a major issue to identify development projects and potential projects in the country, therefore, NDMC will fill that gap to a greater extent.

The public also could enlighten the Center when no development or less development was taking place in their areas, while enlightening the public on the Government’s development activities, Minister Yapa Abeywardena said.

The purpose of setting up the NDMC Center is to provide first hand information to the public on development projects undertaken by the Government, a one person from each Ministry is deployed to gather and impart information on development activities in the country through all mediums, to facilitate its activities, he said. The Center works round the clock and public could give their views on development activities while this will enable decision-makers to direct funds for various development projects and to ensure funds are effectively utilized.

Activities of the Center are carefully monitored by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said. Minister Yapa Abeywardena said NDMC will set up centers in all districts including the North and the East to coordinate the project throughout the country.

Currently Matara district has got mega development projects, which will cost over Rs. one billion and significant among them are improvement of the Colombo - Matara railway track, which has been estimated Rs 19,000 million.

This will be completed in two phases with the assistance from foreign and local funds, he said.