Massive development programme for the Eastern Province

The Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs has implemented development programmes for the benefit of the people in the Eastern Province by carrying out 14,225 projects in the year 2019 with an allocation of Rs.7,346 million, said V.Sivagnanasothy, the Secretary to the Ministry.   
These development programmes have been implemented under the guidance of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who is also the Minister of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs. These programmes are being implemented in the three districts of the Eastern province, namely Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara.   

Accordingly, 1,772 houses are to be constructed for conflict affected displaced families and refugee returnees by the Office for Resettlement, Rehabilitation and Northern Province Development and Rs.1,772 million has been allocated for this purpose. Many houses have already been handed over to the beneficiaries and the rest of the houses are to be handed over before the end of this year. 

 
1,172 sanitary projects are being implemented at a cost of Rs.82 million. The amount allocated to develop internal roads and access roads is Rs.80 million and the amount expended for 1,330 drinking water projects is Rs.36 million. Mr. Sivagnanasothy said that Rs.137 million had been expended to construct classroom buildings and smart classrooms and to develop infrastructure facilities.   

It has allocated Rs.40 million to develop small businesses, Rs.56 million to uplift agriculture in the Eastern Province, Rs.25 million to uplift the fisheries industry and Rs.36 million for other special projects.   

Under the Gamperaliya special programme, the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs has implemented 9,649 projects to develop the Eastern Province by allocating Rs.4140 million.   

Mr. V. Sivagnanasothy said that a sum of Rs.920 million has been allocated to develop rural infrastructure facilities of the Eastern Province under the Rural Infrastructure Development Project.   

It has allocated Rs.40 million to develop small businesses, Rs.56 million to uplift agriculture in the Eastern province