Divi Neguma development project:

Over 89,000 economic units in Galle

Ridma Dissanayake

The Galle District Secretariat will establish 89,600 domestic economic units in Galle district under the Divi Neguma development project, Galle district Secretariat Planning Director Pushpa Malalasekara told the Daily News.

There are 19 divisional secretariats and 896 grama niladhari divisions in Galle. The District Secretariat had selected 100 domestic units from each grama niladhari division to establish the domestic units, she said.

Around 1,753 model home gardens have been established at grama niladhari divisional level and 180 plant nurseries have been registered in the Agriculture Department.

According to the planning director, 1,230 pepper plants have also been distributed.

“Around 22,802 coconut plants have been distributed among Balapitiya, Ambalangoda, Bentota, Karandeniya, Bogapinuwala and Hikkaduwa Divisional Secretariats.

“The Galle district fish industry is seeing vast development. Arrangements have been made to introduce Post Harvest Technology to the fish industry to encourage dried fish and Maldive fish producers. Arrangement have been made to build ponds in the Galle district to develop inland water fish industry in the district, she added.

The Galle district Secretariat had identified 213 self-employees. All measures will be taken to encourage them and develop their industries such as handicraft and spice productions, Malalasekara said. They have identified 155 beneficiaries for bee keeping. Equipment such as bee colonies and boxes will be provided by the Galle District Secretariat with funds from the Economic Development Ministry.

The Economic Development Ministry had allocated Rs 3,100 million to carpet 310 km roads under the Southern Provincial Road Development Authority.

Road development activities in Hakmeemana, Ibaraduwa and Ambalangoda have commenced under the patronage of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Malalaseka said.