Samurdhi projects for North, East Provinces
Priyanka Kurugala
Minister Lakshman Yapa |
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has taken immediate
action to implement Samurdhi projects in areas in the Northern and
Eastern Provinces which were cut off from the Samurdhi programme due to
the conflict, Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa
Abeywardana said.
“Up to now the Samurdhi project has not been activated in areas such
as Kilinochchi, Mullaithivu, Mannar and Nedunkerny,” he said.
“The authority has drawn up plans to commence the project before
March,” he said.
The ministry will conduct several field tours in the relevant areas
and hold discussions with Samurdhi Assistance Commissioners and
Divisional Secretaries, he said.
‘The government has decided to provide all facilities which have been
provided to other areas in the country, to areas which were affected by
terrorism’, he said.
Minister Rajapaksa has identified all shortcomings in these areas to
uplift the people’s lives. The project will be implemented under the
coordination of Samurdhi Director General Bandula Thilakasiri, he said.
The ministry has taken measures to open a Samurdhi bank in each
Divisional Secretariat in these areas. Accordingly, six Samurdhi Banks
will be opened in the Mulaithivu, five in the Killinochchi, five in
Mannar and two in the Nedunkerny DS divisions respectively. These 18
bank associations will consist of officers who can speak in Tamil. Under
the direction of Samurdhi Director General Bandula Thilakasiri, 18
Managers and 36 officers were temporally appointed for this task, he
said.
Funds have been allocated for buildings and for purchase of office
equipment in this connection.
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