Rs 46,469 m for Kegalle development

Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE

The government has allocated around Rs 46,469 million for various development activities in the Kegalle district from 2006 to 2012, Kegalle District Secretary Thusitha P Wanigasinghe said.

“The allocation has been utilised for infrastructure developments, social wellfare, livelihood development and various other community projects which will uplift the people’s living standards in the district, “Wanigasinghe said.

He was addressing media seminar in Kegalle recently organised by the Government Information Department under the theme “The role of provincial journalists for district development”.

The Kegalle district comprises of 1,677 villages in 11 DS Divisions and has a population of 804,604. The district consists of 218,508 families of which 86,734 are Samurdhi beneficiary families.

The District Secretary said Rs 2,760 million has been invested under the Jathika Saviya Gama Neguma programme for 5,716 projects, while Rs 350 million has been allocated in 3,779 projects through decentralized budget funds. Under the Sabaragamu Arunalokaya programme, Rs 162 million has been allocated for 561 projects. “The allocation under the Eka Gamakata Eka Weadak programme is Rs 574 million. Besides, a sum of Rs 638 million has been allocated by the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council for 1,126 projects. The biggest allocation has been made for road carpeting purposes.Under this initiative, Rs 5,497 million has been allocated for 84 projects.

“Under the rural road development initiatives 1,086 rural roads in the Kegalle District have been paved with concrete at a cost of Rs 1,039.65 million and it has benefited 98,717 people in the district. Construction of three bridges are being carried out. Of these three bridges, construction of Wanduradeniya bridge is nearing completion. In addition, eight bridges have already been constructed at a cost of RS 342 million.. These eight bridges have already been commissioned, “the Secretary noted.

“Under social infrastructure facility developments initiatives, seven community centres have been constructed at the cost of Rs 1.95 million. In line with livelihood development drive, 63 anicuts, benefiting over 600 farming families were built at a cost of Rs. 22.56 million.“Besides, 30 canal projects have been completed at a cost of Rs 10.23 million, “ he said.