Irakkandi bridge – Nagenahira navodaya – Sannasa
Irakkandi Bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs.713 million was another major tsunami project which successfully completed. The Irakkandi Bridge links Trincomalee with Pulmodai. It was constructed to replace the old bridge destroyed by the tsunami. Spanning the Irakkandi Lagoon, it is 300 metres long and seven metres wide with two lanes of 1.5 metres for pedestrians.
All residents of Jaffna are being resettled.19.10.2009-itn news Sri Lanka
15,164 families who had taken shelter in Welfare Villages in Vavuniya are being resettled.
The families comprise 44,000 members. They are being resettled on the advice of the President. Accordingly, 2,000 permanent residents have been resettled in the Jaffna District. They were provided the necessary transport facilities. Each family was being given 5,000 rupees, a deposit of 20,000 rupees, dry rations sufficient for six months, roofing sheets and other essential facilities. These are being provided by the Uthuru Wasanthaya Task Force.
The resettlement programme is in place with the mediation of Chief of the Uthuru Wasanthaya Task Force and Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa. All permanent residents of the Jaffna District are due to be resettled before the end of this month.
Minister Douglas Devananda said that arrangements had been made to resettle the people before the rainy season. Northern Governor G.A. Chandrasiri said the Navy as well as the Army had taken over the responsibility along with the Government as well as Local Government officials to resettle the displaced people. GA Jaffna K. Ganesh said arrangements have been finalized for these people to return to their villages and live with their relatives.
The civilians appreciate the help extended by the Government to return to their places of origin and the facilities given to them.
Demining in progress in the Rice Bowl.11.10.2009-itn news Sri Lanka
The removal of landmines in the Rice Bowl Farmer Colony in Mannar is being accelerated.
The programme is being mooted on the instructions of the President. Chief of Uthuru Wasanthaya Task Force and Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa recently monitored the work. The de-mining is taking place under the Uthuru Wasanthaya 180-day accelerated development programme. Army soldiers are engaged in this task.
De-mining machines were imported with the mediation of Basil Rajapaksa. He monitored the use of automatic de-mining machines which were recently imported. Minister Risath Bathiyudeen and Northern Governor G.A. Chandrasiri were present.
Entire road network being developed
Sri Lanka had lost many things due to terrorism. However, development accelerated with the routing of terrorism, resulting in a new awakening in the economy. Massive development of the road network is in place throughout the country.
There are many roads which are being developed and newly constructed, in addition to the building of bridges throughout the country. The work is being carried out under the supervision of Minister T.B. Ekenayake and at the behest of the President. Many flyovers have already been opened. Among them are the flyovers in Kelaniya and Nugegoda. The flyovers at Orugodawatte, Pannipitiya and Dehiwela will be vested in the people soon. Many bridges are also under construction. In addition, more Highways are being reconstructed. The work on the Southern Express Highway is now in progress. An underground road at Ramboda is another major task undertaken by the government. Several major bridges are being built under the Uthuru Wasanthaya programme. It is taking place under the guidance of its Chief and Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa and on the instructions of the President. The GetambeGannoruwa road, the development of the Eastern highway network, the A-9 Highway and the development of roads in Siyambalanduwa, Lahugala and Potuvil are among them. In addition the ElleKantale and the Madhu Church road are being constructed.
Gama Neguma model village in Uva – 5th August 2009
The Maligatenne village in Hali-ela is being developed as a Gama Neguma model village under the Uva development programme..
The Government is implementing many development programmes on behalf of the Uva people. It includes the development of many remote villages in the Moneragala and Badulla Districts. The Governments desire is to build an environment for the people of the area to stand on their own feet sans encountering any problems. Plans are afoot to provide all facilities to the Maligatenne village which is being developed as a model village. Access roads, drinking water, schools and hospitals are among the infrastructure provided. Financial grants needed for the development projects have been set aside. The development is being carried out on the instructions and supervision of Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa. The launch of work on the Maligatenne Model Village took place under his patronage and participation of many peoples representatives. It was followed by a public meeting to clarify the development targets of the Government.
Public establishments and peoples representatives should support development-31.07.2009-itnlk
Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa has said that all establishments along with peoples representatives should support development activities.
Mr Rajapaksa pointed out that these establishments should partner with peoples representatives for development. If one any of these obstructs, it would impede development.
Mr. Rajapaksa was addressing a meeting to review progress on development in the Trincomalee District. It was held at the District Secretariat. 165 million rupees has been set aside for 230 Grama Niladhari Divisions under the Gama Neguma programme in the District. 25 million rupees has been given for irrigation projects in the villages and a another 25 million rupees provided for the re-awakening programmes. In addition, 25 million rupees is allocated to reconstruct 10 small tanks and nine million rupees to rebuild medium scale tanks. Attention was drawn to the launching of 10,000 home garden cultivation projects. It was proposed to build eight bridges on main highways. More attention was adverted to road development. The relevant officials made clarifications on the progress achieved so far in the development of the District. Ministers Susantha Punchinilame and Najeeb A Majeed, Eastern Governor Mohan Wijewickrema, Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, GA Trincomalee T.T.R. de Silva and other peoples representatives and Defence Chiefs were present.
Mannar is fully normal 29th July 2009
Normality has returned to Mannar. Peace hitherto not witnessed for 30 years, is prevailing in the region.
The Biobab tree still remains in the area despite the LTTE activities. Similarly, the civilians in Mannar are determined to rise up forgetting the hindrance caused to them by Velupillai Prabhakaran. They are now leading normal lives. The Uthuru Wasanthaya programme mooted under the supervision of the President has been a great sigh of relief to them. Mannar has reawakened on the instructions and guidance of the head of the Uthuru Wasanthaya Task Force and Senior Advisor to the President and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapakse. Fishermen are engaged in their profession enhancing their earnings. Farmers have also taken to cultivation. The government has accelerated development. It is discharging a massive task to improve infrastructure including roads, electricity and water. Civilians in Mannar are extending their unstinted support to uplift the area.
More funds to develop Matara-19.07.2009-ITN News Sri Lanka
The support of public representatives and officials is needed for development centering on the village.
Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa said two months had passed since the total liberation of the country from terrorism. The Lions flag is fluttering in all 25 Districts due to this significant achievement by the war heroes. Electricity is being supplied to the entire country including Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts. He pointed out that the Presidents concept is to improve all villages and thereby develop the country.
Mr. Rajapaksa chaired a special meeting to review progress of development in the Matara District. It was held at the District Secretariat yesterday. It was agreed to grant 325 million rupees at the rate of 500,000 rupees to each of the 650 Grama Niladhari Divisions within the District under the Gama Neguma. In addition to setting apart 100 million rupees for Provincial road development, 70 million rupees will be allocated to complete the provision of electricity this year. 45 million rupees was set apart for development schemes of the Southern Development Authority. It was agreed at this meeting to extend the grants needed to develop 19 dilapidated bridges. Ministers and Government officials adverted attention on the removal of obstacles in the re-cultivation of fallow paddy lands in the District. Ministers Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Dulles Alahapperuma and Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Governor Kumari Balasuriya, Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal De Silva and many senior Government officials and heads of establishments attended this meeting.
Galle development reviewed-18.07.2009-ITN News Sri Lanka
Progress of development work in the Galle District is being reviewed. Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa undertook an inspection tour of the development work.
He said he was visiting the Southern region on a direction of the President and at the request of the Chief Minister. He assured that the Provincial Council and the Ministers will continue the work in the Galle District.
A meeting to review progress of the development work of the Galle District was chaired by Mr. Rajapaksa. It drew attention to the present situation of the development. Discussions centred at length on the Gama Neguma development programme, the Galle Urban Development Plan, Highways, power projects, the agricultural and irrigations sectors. Submissions were made on foreign investment ventures mooted by the Southern Provincial Council. Prominent among them were the Southern Province Rural Economic Promotion Programme and projects related to the rebuilding of areas damaged by the tsunami. Ministers Piyasena Gamage, Hemakumara Nanayakkara and Gunaratne Weerakoon, Deputy Minister Lionel Premasiri, Parliamentarian Chandima Weerakkody, Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya and Chief Minister Shan Wijelal De Silva were among those present at this discussion.
