North-East gets one percent of GDP

Priyanka Kurugala in Pallikuda, Kilinochchi

Funds given to increase livelihoods:

Bank loans for over 94,500 families:

The government has spent around one percent of the Gross Domestic Product for development programmes of the Northern and Eastern provinces under the directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Living standards of people in these areas have been improving at a rapid pace, Prison Reform and Rehabilitation Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera said.

He was addressing the inauguration of the Pallikuda village rehabilitation project in Pallikuda, Kilinochchi.

This programme has been conducted by the Rehabilitation Authority, under the Pallikuda Rehabilitation Project. A considerable amount has been provided to increase the livelihoods of people in the Pallikuda area under this project. It will be an ideal way to raise their living standards, he said.

“Around 94,631 families in the North and the East have been provided loans from banks under development programmes. The government has drawn plans for such development programmes without expectation of foreign funds,” Gajadeera said.

“The government is unable to provide everything which these people have lost in their lives.

Nevertheless, it is dedicated to provide everything within its capacity. People in this area have harrowing experiences of 30 years of terrorism. Those rehabilitated have the opportunity to rebuild their villages using their manpower,” he said.

Addressing the ceremony, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Deputy Minister Susantha Punchinilame said the government is ready to provide financial assistance for women who are willing to commence their own self-employment projects.

Under the Divineguma programme, the government has selected around 300 individuals for assistance to commence new self-employment ventures.

The government is expecting to uplift these areas to the level of other areas in the country.

Cleaning and reconstructing of the Pallikuda reservoir also commenced. Around 500 young individuals who are being rehabilitated under the Rehabilitation Authority participated in this shramadana campaign. Minister Gajadeera laid the foundation stone to rebuild a kovil for the Pallikuda fisheries village. He also provided coconut saplings to people in this area. Gifts were also presented to schoolchildren. Prison Reform and Rehabilitation Ministry secretary A Dissanayake and other officers also participated.