Government implements Rs.12 Billion worth development projects in the North

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Government implements Rs.12 Billion worth development projects in the North
The development of the North's economic and social infrastructure was expedited to a level that the country had never witnessed, under the Uthuru Vasanthaya180 days' development programme at the cost of Rs.12080.5 Million. These projects had provided significant infrastructure facilities to the people in the North whose lives were wrecked by the LTTE during the past three decades.
Under the 180 days' development programme, diverse projects were launched in nearly 15 different fields such as Transport and Highways, Irrigation and Agriculture, Power supply, Education and Fisheries, ect, encompassing the full spectrum of services that are deemed essential to the life of the community. It is worthy of special mention that there has been over 80% performance in the implement of this project.
Ministries other than the Ministry of National Building and Estate Infrastructure Development have incurred an expenditure of Rs.1, 865 Million in the execution of the task of development and provision of infrastructure facilities.
The Ministry of National Building and Estate Infrastructure Development has also incurred an expenditure of Rs.2,222 Million under 'Gama Neguma', 'Samurdhi', 'Jathika Saviya', Uthuru Vasanthaya' and the Decentralized Budget in the execution of the 180 days' programme. Expenditure incurred in respect of the development work and infrastructure development handled by all Ministries within a short space of six months totaled Rs.11, 087 Million.
In handling this task the clearance of the area of the landmines laid by the terrorists posed the greatest risk. The attention of the task force was especially focused on the extreme urgency of the Demining operations and action was, therefore, taken immediately to import the machinery and equipment needed for de mining operations on the recommendation of the task force. Machinery and equipment numbering 15 were thus imported for the purpose at a cost of Rs.646.92 million and it is stated that the demining unit of the Sri Lanka army played a significant role in handling these operations.
With the defeat of the LTTE terrorism which prevailed over three decades and the settlement in welfare centers of over 268,000 innocent person who fled to the government controlled areas escaping from the clutches of the LTTE terror on appeal made by the Government, confronted with the formidable challenge of restoring normalcy in the to day - to - day life of the community and the resettling them in their places of origin. H.E the president appointed a special presidential Task Force in order to ensure the provision of infrastructure and operation of development activities needed for the re- settlement of the displaced by acting speedily in the adoption of appropriate measures.
The Task Force under the Chairmanship of Minister Basil Rajapaksa was establish by Extraordinary Gazette Notification dated May 07,2009.the 180 days' development programme named 'Uthuru Vasanthaya' was launched by this Task Force with an emphasis on a participatory development approach.
Courtesy : The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka