Southern Development

Southern Province surging towards a new epoch

Walter LIYANARACHCHI

In comparison to the other provinces during this past five years, the rapid improvement of the development activities in the Southern Province has become a focal point in Sri Lanka.

Today every inch in this province testifies the transition that had taken place in regard to the manyfold development covering irrigation, road network, housing, water supply, agriculture, electricity and various other infrastructure facilities.

Dominant activity

Agriculture is the dominant economic activity of the province where 55 are employed. Paddy production is the key agricultural activity.

The coastal belt in the province is a major tourist attraction and the Tourism Ministry has identified a large number of tourist destinations to be improved.

Kataragama located in Hambantota District draws a large number of pilgrims each year. This feature resulted in services sector being the second dominant economic activity of the District. The services sector employs 24% of the workforce who are employed in tourist industry and trading activity.

Fisheries

The other key economic activities include fishing. The district accounts for 12.9% of the marine fish production of the country although only 3% are employed in fisheries.

When taking an account of the development activities in the province the Southern Development Authority had played a pivotal role.

The Authority was established with the objective of increasing the production in the Southern region ensuring economic and social awakening and maximising the regions contribution to the GNP.

The area of authority of this organisation covers districts of Matara, Galle and Hambantota. District of Moneragala and Divisional Secretary’s Divisions of Kolonna and Embilipitiya in Ratnapura District also coming under the purview of the SDA.

Southern Development Authority chairman told the Daily News that action was initiated to implement Jathika Saviya, Gama Neguma and Maga Neguma programs in selected Grama Niladari Divisions in the region. Special attention was drawn to streamline programs in the most difficult rural areas which were neglected for a long time.

Youth trained

Accordingly 47 ‘Wasams’ in the Districts of Matara, Hambantota and Galle were selected for the implementation of several development projects an priority basic which includes 20km of roads, 581 houses for low income families, 352 sanitary programs and 45 model home gardens.

Further, 567 youth were trained in the fields of heavy vehicle driving, three-wheelar driving, nursing, hotel industry and sewing. Fifty percent of them are today gainfully employed, the Chairman said.

Medium-scale projects

The Authority initiated action to formulate its corporate plan. The Authority had managed to achieve considerable progress as the continuation works an major and medium-scale projects.

Among the medium-scale projects eco-tourism program in Kirala Kele in Matara, fish caning factory in Kaduruwatte in Akmeemana Divisional Secretary’s Division and the Handugala Tea Factory with assistance of a private investor are worthy of mentioning.

It is estimated that around 2,315 direct employment opportunities will be generated through these projects with a large number of indirect employment in the surrounding areas.

In order to encourage the local milk production and the consumption of liquid milk as envisaged in the Mahinda Chintana, suitable lands in the three districts have been selected to set up 04 milk production villages.

Accordingly, the land called Kohilawaguruwatte with an extent of 200 acres in Karandeniya Division in Galle District has been taken over and infrastructure facilities are being provided to set up a milk producing village.

History

Historically Galle is having a very interesting episode.

The Portuguese were the first colonial power who established a settlement in Galle.

The Portuguese did not have intention to come to Sri Lanka. It happened by accident. The Viceroy of India Don Fancisco De Almeida wanted his son to intercept Moorish ships carrying spices from Malacca and Sumatra.

Almeida’s son Lovenzo was given a fleet for this purpose from Goa. Lorenzo was stranded in the unknown seas and was wandering in the Indian Ocean for few days. Then his fleet was caught with a strong current and was washed towards Galle Harbour.

His intention of intercepting Moorish ships fulfilled unexpectedly and he was astonished to see the Moorish ships anchored in Galle Harbour to upload cinnamon and elephants. Lorenzo and his fellow-sailors disembarked from ships and entered into the country through Galle Harbour in 1505.

On inquiry he came to know that this island was called ceylon (Sri Lanka). Lorenzo immediately informed his farther his un-intended and un-expected visit to Sri Lanka and about the abandoned resources in the Island.

Thereafter the Portuguese invaded this country and scraped all the resources damaging the economy, culture, religions and the identity of the Island.Thereafter Dutch took over from Portuguese in 1640 and made Galle a fine town.

Development transition in South due to Govt’s prudency - Ports Minister

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Development in the Southern Province was lagging behind but it began to develop rapidly since President Mahinda Rajapaksa prioritised its development projects through his national policy, Mahinda Chintana.

The Southern Provincial Council election campaign is in full swing and different political parties contesting are putting forward many promises. Daily News interviewed Ports and Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa on the current situation in the South. Following are the highlights of the interview:

Q: A substantial transition in development activities are taking place in the Southern Province during past few years. Can you attribute what made these changes?

A: Under the Mahinda Chintana policy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa now we can see vast progress in the Southern Province.

Not only the Southern Province, the whole country is rapidly developing day by day. When we talk about my Ministry, before the end of the year 2010 we can complete the construction of the first phase of the Hambantota harbour.

As this harbour is in the middle of Maritime Silk Route it will contribute to the development of the national economy. We have already taken steps to develop the Galle Harbour as a tourist port without harming the historical and archaeological value of the Galle town and its environment.

We are going to establish an international airport in Mattala, Hambantota district.

Q: We see a competition among UPFA candidates for preferencial votes at the Southern Provincial Council election. According to your view what is the reason for this?

A: First because everyone knows that most of the people living in the Southern Province vote for UPFA as they respect our President. And also most of the UNP and JVP agreed to give their support to the President. In view of this UPFA candidates try to canvass for preferential votes. The voters don’t care about personalities, but they want to vote for the UPFA without thinking twice.

I think though there is competition among UPFA candidates yet people don’t consider it so serious and it’s not a very big problem for the UPFA.

Q: In a democratic country it is vital to have a strong opposition to criticize the faults of the rulers. Do you think in the absence of a strong opposition the rulers will do their utmost?

A: Our opposition party always tries to confuse people. They don’t work for the betterment of the people. They only work to get political power. So it is not necessary to have this kind of opposition party to work for the betterment of the people.

Q: It is often seen on political platforms that certain UPFA candidates claim that he will become the Chief Minister. According to your views is it correct to forecast or claim such a portfolio?

A: UPFA General Secretary Suisil Premajayantha announced the procedure of selecting the Chief Minister. But we like it if all candidates make an effort to become the Chief Minister.

Our President likes all the candidates becoming the Chief Ministers at least in their minds as it will augur well for the UPFA.

Q: These days most foreign countries talk about violation of human rights in Sri Lanka. What are your comments?

A: Where can we see human right violations now? Since 1985 up to now what was the period where there were human right violations in the country? There was an era that people were burnt on tyres. More than 50,000 people disappeared.

But during the last three years did you see this kind of things happening in the country? We released even Daya Master after a Court case.

Q: Certain sections among the opposition were questioning about the welfare of the IDPs housed in the welfare villages and camps. Are those people being looked after well?

A: We should think about reality when we talk about the life of the people who live in IDP camps. As a government it is difficult to give all facilities for these IDPs.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa always thinks about the Tamil people in the country.

As a respect to them now he talks to them in Tamil also. So how can we say that human rights violations are taking place in the country?

Government grants approval for several road projects

Hiran H. Senewiratne

The Government has granted approval to several road projects in the country to upgrade and rehabilitate the provincial roads in the Southern Province, Minister of Media, Lakshman Yapa Abeyawardena said.

He said the project plans to upgrade and rehabilitate all provincial roads in the Province covering all three districts Galle, Matara and Hambantota and several proposals have been submitted to donor agencies to raise funds.

The project, which will begin this month and expected to be completed as soon as possible, is aimed at improving access to social and economic activities in the Southern Province through the sustainable management of improved road infrastructure, the Government declared, he said.

The proposed rehabilitation includes improvement of road pavements, bridges, drainage, and replacement of culverts of the proposed roads. The project is expected to be implemented by December 31, 2013.

The Minister also said that Hakmana, Kamburupitiya and Akurassa, Dikwella roads will be widen by year 2010, which grants access to many areas in the country and these roads will be developed in parallel to other road networks in the Province. This will enable to develop the living condition of the people, he said

A separate proposal submitted by the President also received the Cabinet approval to continue the construction work of the 4-lane expressway from Pinnaduwa to Godagama which comes under the Southern Transport Development Project.

Funding for this segment of the highway has been secured from the EXIM Bank of the People’s Republic of China.

The Minister said that the Colombo- South highway will be made available soon once the construction activities are completed.

Huge drinking water projects to Hambantota, Matara

Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Ministry has allocated Rs. 1,292 m. to provide drinking water and to sanitary facilities to Hambantota and Matara in Southern Province, a ministry press release states.

A sum of Rs. 520 million has been spent for the Hambantota district benefitting 89,435 beneficiaries and a sum of Rs. 772 million for Matara District benefitting 317,816 beneficiaries.

The community had to face for numerous difficulties due to the lack of water during drought seasons. A large number of tanks, brooks and other water sources exist in the two districts but the communities could not get pure drinking water. And also no adequate projects were efficiently implemented so far to solve the problems, said a ministry official.

A large number of people in rural areas were affected due to the lack of water for drinking as well as for sanitary purposes. As a result they were subjected to go under medical treatments constantly due to the spreading of diseases.

The water projects will be implemented under Community Triangle Program. The program has covered 13 districts benefitting 354,681 recipients and the World Bank has identified this Southern project as the best, the official said.

Akuressa rural roads renovated

Theja Vidyarupa Akuressa group correspondent

Construction of the first phase of the Welihena-Akkaravissa road had been completed under the Gama Neguma programme spending Rs. 500,000. Construction of the second phase of the road has also been started last week by the Aturaliya Pradeshiya Sabha.

Talahagama East, a remote village in Aturaliya Divisional Secretariat area has also been developed to a greater extent under the Jathika Saviya Gama Neguma Program launched by the Southern Development Authority.

37 houses for low income families had already been constructed at a cost of Rs. 37 lakhs.

Another ten houses were also constructed spending Rs. 10 lakhs.

One hundred low income families were selected by the SDA to improve their neglected tea and cinnamon lands providing facilities and subsidies.

A vocational training centre, community hall and a health services centre were also constructed in the village improving knowledge on vocation community services and health condition of 272 families living in the village at present.

Four access roads in the village had been concreted spending Rs. 40 lakhs.

K. G. Amaradasa, member of the Aturaliya Pradeshiya Sabha who is supervising the development work of the village told the Daily News that the families living in the village were able to uplift the living condition earning good income under the various projects started themselves.

Irrigation canal renovated

Raja Waidyasekera Tissamaharama special corr.

The Attikka Amuna in Tissamaharama will be renovated under an accelerated program, the Senior Consultant to the President Basil Rajapaksa said.

With the renovation of Attikka Amuna an extent of 1,000 acres can be brought under the plough. The land presently remains barren as a result of acute shortage of water. The Amuna was grossly damaged as a result of the floods.

The construction will be carried out by the Department of Irrigation on the initiative of Basil Rajapaksa.