Basil discusses plans for Deyata Kirula 2013

The Economic Development Ministry will commission a number of development projects covering agriculture, irrigation, education, health, drinking water and power supply, completed at a cost of Rs. 10,625 million in the Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee Districts, parallel to the Deyata Kirula National Exhibition 2013, which will be held in Ampara from 23 to 29 March under the theme ‘Wonder of the rising sun.’  

“This year’s exhibition will showcase projects of the Economic Development Ministry to strengthen the Divi Neguma National program in the areas of agriculture, live stock, fisheries, marketing and services,” Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.

The construction of a tourist rest and recuperation centre in the vicinity of Maha Oya, hot water springs by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the improvement of health facilities of the historic Lahugala Temple are also part of the program. 

The Ministry and SLTDA also hope to generate additional sources of income for the people via publicity for the rest and recuperation centres. The SLTDA is also planning to compile a record of little-known places of tourist interest and publish it on a booklet.

Rajapaksa discusses plans for Deyata kirula 2013 with the ministry officials recently and stated that plans are also underway to handover 1,224 houses in 52 divisional secretariat areas, in the Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara Districts, being built under the Diriya Piyasa housing scheme at a cost of Rs. 60 million.  

Under the re-awakening project, 40 tanks and five sluices destroyed by the post-war, and canals, bridges and roads are being rebuilt at a cost of Rs. 878 million. Houses and local council buildings are being constructed under the ‘Pura Neguma’ program at a cost of Rs. 433 million.  

On drinking water projects in the North and East Rs. 47 million has been spent, both of which have been facing an acute drinking water problem. These have generated additional income for the citizens. The second stage of developing drinking water supply projects will be under the second community development and livelihood improvement project.

Buildings for Divi Neguma banks, providing houses of women employed overseas, supplying electricity to the homes that need power, providing credit facilities under ‘Divi Neguma Isura’ and concreting by ways and lanes are among the many projects activated parallel to the Deyata Kirula exhibition.

The total number of projects the Economic Development Ministry has undertaken is 120. Deyata Kirula Chief Organiser and Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyabalapitiya and senior officials were among those who attended the discussions.