Infrastructure development addressed

Irangika RANGE

Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala while assuming duties at the Highways Ministry premises in Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla yesterday said infrastructure needed for national development have now been addressed under the Mahinda Chintana policy.

The Minister addressing the invitees and staff after receiving the blessings of the religious leaders said that continuous efforts are being made to expedite ongoing road development projects while launching many development programs envisaged in the President's election manifesto, - Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma.

After President Rajapaksa assumed office as Highways and Road Development Minister in 2004, massive road development of highways have been witnessed for the first time in Sri Lanka since Independence.

Earlier people got stranded due to lack of roads and inability to travel on roads. President Rajapaksa is the only leader compared to previous rulers who allocated huge amounts of money to implement the highest number of rural road development projects.

It has resulted in constructing new roads and bridges for each rural village. The rural road network was neglected for the past few decades. "We underwent great hardship since no funds were allocated for the building of new roads and bridges for our electorates," he said. Therefore, as Highways Deputy Minister I commit myself to serve the people who have elected me to Parliament once again.

Ministry Secretary Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda said the mega highways projects have been accelerated to usher in a new era in the public transportation system whilst ensuring an effective and efficient service to the public.