Over 65,000 domestic economic units in Matara dist.

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Over 65,000 domestic economic units have been established in 650 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Matara district under the Divi Neguma programme, Matara District Secretariat Planning Director Vidura Prasanna told the Daily News.

The Economic Development Ministry has allocated for the Divi Neguma programme, Rs 204 million for the Matara District and every beneficiary will receive Rs.10,000 for their domestic economic unit. According to this they will receive vegetable seed varieties, fruits, flowers and minor export crop varieties for these domestic economic units.

They will receive farm equipment and agriculture machinery and they have allocated another Rs. 16 million the Gemi Diriya development project as well. Over 2,050 families will be benefited by animal husbandry and fisheries industry.

The Economic Development Ministry has allocated Rs. 440 million for the Gama Neguma development project and Matara District Secretariat is looking forward to develop nursery schools, school toilets, micro irrigation systems, maternity clinics and all other infrastructure in the district.

According to Planning Director Vidura they have allocated Rs. 129.3 million for micro irrigation projects, Rs.107.8 million for infrastructure development, Rs. 107 million for school toilet systems, Rs. 86 million for maternity clinics and Rs. 9 million for nursery schools’ development projects.

The District Secretariat has allocated Rs. 2,475,000 for expanding coconut cultivation in the Matara district and they will distribute 33,000 coconut saplings in Kotapola, Pita Beddara, Pasgoda and Mulatiyana Divisional Secretariats.

“There is no approval for coconut cultivation in other Divisional Secretariats due to Weligama Coconut Leaf Wilt Disease (WCLWD), he added.

The ministry has allocated Rs. 2,700 million for provincial road development project in the Matara district.

Nine road projects have been initiated in Devinuwara electorate and another seven road projects have been initiated in Hakmana electorate. About 61 provincial roads of 206 Kms will also be carpeted, he further said.

The Planning Director further said that they have allocated Rs. 88 million to the Southern Development Authority and it is to initiate in several development projects in 45 villages.