News
After two years of go-slow, state entities try to catch up with development projects
After two years of setbacks in implementing project proposals, state ministries have drawn up plans to see them through.
Ministry secretaries have prepared project proposals and action plans along with cost estimates for 2022.
The government is planning to revive the state sector.
Earlier, Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle, had issued a circular instructing ministry secretaries and district secretaries to draw up project proposals and action plans and to submit them to the Department of National Planning by Friday, December 30.
The Trade Ministry plans to use most of the financial allocations to help low income families in the new year.
One of the Finance Ministry circulars issued to District Secretaries informing them of the Government's development drive for 2022
Ministry Secretary J.M Bhadranie Jayawardena told the Sunday Times that Rs 15 billion had been allocated to help meet the needs of low income families.
Also, Rs 30 million has been allocated from the budget to develop sea food farming and sea cucumber exports.
The ministry is also planning more shopping centres to sell products made by state institutes.
“We plan to open a shopping centre in Batticaloa and Homagama,’’ she said.
Allocations have been made to create export processing villages. She said that in addition there were budget allocations for food security.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism has set up three projects.
Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi said even though the budget had allocated Rs 57 million, 13 projects were in the works to help attract tourists.
“Sanitation facilities are planned for Bopath Ella. The ministry has plans for coral reef preservation to improve tourism in Batticaloa. There is also a plan to develop an entrance to Kirala Kale, a new tourist project which we are planning to implement, with the support of UDA and Wildlife Department,’’ he said.
Rs 5 million will be spent to develop and also build safety fencing for Hummanaya blow hole in Hambantota.
Mr Hettiarachchi expects more tourists this year.
The Wildlife and Forest Conservation Ministry has planned reforestation using economically beneficial fruit plants and other species.
Ministry Secretary Somaratne Vidanapathirana said their priority would be to increase the green cover.
He said Rs 2 billion had been allocated in the budget for reforestation to increase forest cover to 30 percent by the end of this year.
Mr Vidanapathirana said the green village policy would encourage people to grow fruit and other economically valuable trees.
“Trees such as arecanut (locally known as puwak), kithul and long term fruit plants such as mango would be planted at wildlife parks and reserve boundary lines, so the villagers do not need to enter protected areas,’’ he said. Those living near the borders of wildlife parks will be given a small payment for tending to the fruit trees.
Among the projects the Tourism Ministry will be launching is a programme to protect Lanka's coral reefs
Tee planting programmes will be carried out in schools universities, and places of religious worship.
“The budget has also passed Rs 100 million for reducing the human-elephant conflict by adding another 1,500 kilometres of electric fencing and maintaining the nearly 4000 km fencing already fixed,’’ he said. More trenches will be dug as a barrier to elephants.
However, some ministries have not scheduled projects and instead will resume their services.
The Transport Ministry Secretary Monti Ratnayake said existing projects would continue.
A budget allocation of Rs 4500 million has been made to regulate three-wheelers, and school vans.
Mr Ratnayake said last year there were discussions at Treasury level to set up an authority to regulate three-wheel operators. A committee discussed and studied the matter for over one month.
“The Ministry of Transport is awaiting the recommendations of the committee,’’ he said.
The Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry said it would continue the usual activities.
Ministry Secretary J.J. Ratnasiri said the activities would include recruitment to the public service.
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