Southern Development

South develops in tandem

Walter Liyanarachchi
 

Thirty six rural roads in Ambalantota District in Tangalle electorate have been identified to be concreted and the work is in progress. On the initiative of Water Supply Minister Mahinda Amaraweera the road projects were implemented. Funds amounting to Rs. 17.1 Millions have been allocated under “Gama Neguma” project.

The roads scattered in Koggala, Kuda Bolana in Ambalantota Divisional Secretariats and roads in Ambalantota North and South namely Ridiyagama South, Bolana South, Alegoda, Siyambankote, Muravesihena, Jaligala, Mamadala, Hedwinna, Nonagama, Malpettawa, Ekkassa, Thavaluwila, Haragala, Uhapitigoda, Walawatte, Elegoda, Kivula, Poliyarwatte, Hungama, Bata-Atha, Deniya, Lunama, Barawakumbuka, Weviya, Welipanvila, Pallegama, Pingama, Rotawala and Waduruppa will be concreted under the Gama Neguma Program.

Kamburugamuwa hospital complex construction work in progress.

Newly built Dickwella Vocational Training Centre.

New Hakmana-Mulatiyana Road.

Minister Amaraweera has instructed the authorities to expedite the work, states a press release issued by the Water Supply Ministry.

Tangalle

Tangalle electrification system spreads into rural areas unpremidiatedly under the Lighting Sri Lanka Hambantota District Project.

The number of the houses in Tangalle during the period of 2006-07 was 15539. The estimated electrified housing units were 9966. With the fullest co-operation and assistance of the Government and foreign donor countries the project is nearing the target of 9966 and nearing 90% to complete the estimated level, said Hambantota Project Director S. Bogahawatte.

As specified in the project plan and feasibility report establishment of a new Area Engineer’s office at tangalle is completed and fully equipped three new consumer service centres at Tissamaharama, Ranna and Suriyawewa is established.

Mirissa

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry too has performed its services tremendously to uplift the fishing industry in Tangalle. The fishery harbour has been renovated to suit the present requirements. Due to the end of the terrorist scourge today the sea restrictions are lifted and due to this fact the Tangalle fishermen do fishing without fear or without confined time tables to do fishing. As result the fish production at Mirissa has gone up and the prices had been brought down giving a relief to average consumer. In view of the above developments the Ministry has focussed its special attention to provide more facilities to Tangalle fishing community, said a Ministry official.

Apart from uplifting the fishing industry the Ministry also had extended its social responsibilities.

The providing toilet facilities to Pallikudawa Bon Bon Housing scheme and concreting the Netolpitiya gravel road, Unakuruwa road leading to ferry and Goyambokka Quarry road.

Kudawella

The Kudawella drainage system and removing the garbage and waste due to the tsunami in Pallikkudawa ferry were services rendered with the assistance of Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha.

Tangalle town is fast becoming more popular and a large number of investors are seeking avenues in suburbs of Tangalle coast because of the charming beauty.

Mesmerised Leonard Woolf’s writes on Tangalle thus “..... from Tangalle to Matara the road reveals new and unexpected beauty. It skirts the sea-shore and for mile upon mile, bay succeeds bay, a curve of yellow sands, dazzling blue water and palm-crowned headlands. There is no run more exhilarating in the whole Ceylon - the scent and sound of the sea, the sparkling water seen through the palm stems - the freshness and the glowing colour make this never-to-be-forgotten location in the South”.

Matara

A Tourist Board official said, that in the near future, no doubt this area will be an attractive tourist destination since many investors are eyeing at Tangalle.

Media Minister and the Spokesman of National Development Media Centre Laxman Yapa Abeywardene said that the three districts in the Southern Province, namely Hambantota, Matara and Galle are surpassing each other in Development.

Large, medium and small projects are implemented right and left in the province in sectors such as, road construction, electrification, irrigation, tank building, housing, agriculture and various other public concerned social activities. An independent survey conducted obtaining views of the public in the Province reveals that the people are with a pleasant mentality looking at the development projects in progress with a penetrated memory of ending the war, he said.

Galle

Mirissa Fisheries harbour after renovation.

Kohuliyadda Gama Meda Road concreted.

The Galle is to be elevated to a tourist port spending Rs. 16,990 millions with Japanese funds. The project is to be completed at the end of 2010. It is also planned to construct a connected road from Galle port to Southern Highway.

Plans are afoot to upgrade Galle market to a strong economic centre and convert entire Galle to a tourist zone, said Vocational Training Minister Piyasena Gamage.

He said several steps have been taken to produce skilful technicians and a number of youth programs are implemented to train youth vocationally, specially youth who do not intend to follow higher education.

The hanging bridge made out of metal across the Ginganga connecting the villages is an eye-catching scenery.

The people residing in Lankagama had to walk nearly 20 kilometres across Sinharaja forest to get through their various requirements. But today cutting short a road has been constructed shortening the distance.

The Government has taken for granted the public servants as an important sector to streamline the Government activities. The housing complex built in Galle is one of the services rendered to recognise their services.

The commuters throng to Elpitiya main bus stand had to undergo several hardships due to its incomplete and dilapidated condition. In response this acute shortage the Government has decided to build a bus stand with modern facilities and amenities. The completion of work is nearing.

The Government is contended with the progress made in general upto August 2009 in the three districts. It is sole intention to expedite the ongoing projects and to commence work in the proposed projects.