Northern boom under Economic Development Ministry

Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya districts are undergoing a major development transformation under a host of community projects implemented by the Economic Development Ministry under the food for work programme with an allocation of Rs 486 million.

Minister Rajapaksa

These include the rehabilitation of rural roads, tanks and canals, preparation of ‘agri’ wells, forest cultivation, building of kitchens, in schools and home garden cultivation, said a spokesman for the Economic Development Ministry.

The major objective of this programme implemented under the direction of Minister Basil Rajapaksa is the development of rural infrastructure and empowerment of people by providing mixed food rations to people assisting these projects by providing labour. This enabled unemployed groups to contribute labour towards social development activities and obtain food needed by their families, the spokesman added.

A mixed food ration weighing two kilos 600 grammes sufficient for a family of five daily is given to each individual contributing labour. It includes rice, wheat flour, dhal and sugar among other items. The entire stock of food earmarked for the project is 5,802 metric tons.

The number of projects implemented district wise is Mannar 37, Jaffna 60, Kilinochchi 25, Mullaitivu 87 and Vavuniya 64. These projects are in addition to the living standard development projects implemented under the Northern and Eastern Rehabilitation and Reconstruction projects under way.