Nimal charges UPFA’s rural development projects halted
Thursday, 19 February 2015 00:39
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By Ashwin Hemmathagama
Our Lobby Correspondent
Rural development projects have come to a grinding halt in the absence of financial allocations, disrupting the livelihood and infrastructure development programs initiated by the UPFA Government, charged Leader of the Opposition Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday in Parliament.
MP de Silva said: “These programs were aimed to develop the road network, pipe-borne water and to provide electricity to rural areas. Some of the programs were halfway through and many were at planning stage to be started this year. The Treasury has stopped settlements and the district secretaries, divisional secretaries, and department heads have found it impossible to continue without funds.”
Citing an example of a certain development program which is now defunct, MP de Silva said: “Circular HAF/01/09/DIS-Co-Meet date 5 February has instructed to stop a program. In certain instances the payments due to workers involved in these projects have stalled, jeopardising their livelihood. I need the Government to declare its intention, the decision taken to settle the current bills and the policy decision on the programs we have started.”
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to give his response today in Parliament.
