Facelift for 20 townships

Vijayani EDIRISINGHE

The Defence and Urban Development Ministry has drawn up a massive plan to develop 20 townships around the country in addition to the Colombo city under its 2013 Development Plan.

The township development programme will be implemented on the directive of Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Media Centre for National Security Director General Lakshman Hulugalle said.

Townships in Jaffna, Eheliyagoda, Diyathalawa, Imaduwa, Urubokka, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Narammala,

Hettipola, Paduwasnuwara, Anuradhapura, Matara, Dankotuwa, Bandarawela, Weeraketiya, Rambukkana, Nugegoda, Meegahakiwula, Bulathsinhala, Homagama and Moratuwa will receive a facelift under this programme, he said.

Hulugalle said plans are afoot to launch a number of programmes for the security and development of the country with the assistance of the Police and the Security Forces this year.

He said special focus has been laid on curbing crime and accidents, for public safety.

Hulugalle said the ministry has drawn attention towards promoting closer ties between the Police and civil society.

He said the LTTE rump was trying to raise its head against the country and the ministry will implement a number of programmes to prevent plans of members of the LTTE Diaspora to disrupt the country’s peaceful environment.

Hulugalle said action would be taken by the law enforcement authorities to round up extortionists, child abusers, drug dealers and peddlers, and rapists during the course of 2013.