The Sri Lankan Government said this week that the highest provincial fund allocation last year of all districts was made to the North.
The Northern Province was provided Rs.244, 835 million for development while an additional Rs.8, 416 million came from the World Bank, Japan and Asian Development Bank for the development of North and the East during this period, according to a statement issued by the Policy Research and Information Unit (PRIU) of the Presidential Secretariat.
“The other districts of the country received only Rs.3, 581 million last year. In 2010, Rs.8, 057 million had been allocated to the North and the East compared to Rs.3,261 million for the other districts of the country,” it said.
Under the Northern Rehabilitation Emergency program of the Ministry of Economic Development, Rs.100 million has been allocated for 30 mini irrigation projects. Similarly, Rs.1, 535 million has been allocated by the Economic Development Ministry to promote drinking water schemes.
Funds amounting to Rs.204.7 million for 43 cooperative buildings, Rs.1, 672 million for 258 food, fertilizer and paddy storage buildings, agrarian and school buildings and other provincial office complexes have been expanded last year. In addition to this, Rs.99 million for peripheral roads had been spent. Under the Yali Pubudamu program Rs.585 million for Yoda wewa and Rs.2, 437 million for a number of irrigation tanks in the Mannar district was allocated. Of the five major roads starting from Mullaitivu town, three are being redeveloped, the statement added.
“As at May 19, Mullaitivu did not have any electricity. Today it has risen to 18 %, Kilinochchi 66%, Vavuniya 75 %, Jaffna 60 – 72 % and Mannar 37 – 52 % while 118 electricity schemes have been completed at a cost of Rs.826.2 million,” it said.
Paddy cultivation has also recorded an upsurge in the Jaffna and Mannar districts bringing afresh 4,424 hectares and 2,741 hectares under paddy cultivation. Under the giant tank scheme, 2,741 hectares in Mannar will be expanded to 14,000 hectares. |
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