Fresh mechanism to expedite Gamperaliya
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says a new mechanism is in place to expedite the implementation of Rs.48 billion ‘Gamperaliya’ rapid rural development programme this year.
Wickremesinghe said the new mechanism would be jointly set up by his ministry, Finance and Mass Media Ministry, Highways Ministry and the Internal Affairs Ministry to expedite the Gamperaliya programme this year.
He was speaking at the launch ceremony of ESL and Gamperaliya programmes for this year held at Temple Trees.
Under the programme, the government has allocated Rs.300 million for each electorate this year for the development of roads, water, tanks and irrigation systems, religious places as well as schools.
The Premier said 7,500 new employees recruited for the Samurdhi programme will be assigned to co-ordinate the Gamperaliya programme shortly.
He emphasised that the results of the Gamperaliya programme could be seen within the next few months.
Meanwhile Highways & Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development Minister Kabir Hashim proposed the government to provide direct jobs and increase the number of Samurdhi recipients by incorporating these programmes into the Gamperaliya programme.
He pointed out that a big push is needed for Sri Lanka now to transform into a social market economy from an open market economy.
He also asserted that the government should aggressively recruit more employees to the State sector this year including unemployed graduates.
It has been proposed to allocate Rs. 13.8 billion for the development of 6,936 rural roads, Rs. 4.5 billion for the rehabilitation of 1,300 village tanks, Rs. 250 million for the renovation of 500 places of religious worship and Rs. 15 billion for housing development at rural and urban levels.
Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that Rs.0.5 million will also be allocated per each religious place to switch to solar power to cut down the high cost of their electricity bill.
In addition, Rs.1.9 billion has been allocated for the construction and renovation of rural schools.
Furthermore, Rs.6 billion has been allocated for the supply of electricity facilities for needy households, Rs.1 .7 billion for the development of village fairs and school playgrounds, and Rs. 90 million for the rehabilitation of places of tourist attractions and Rs.50 million for the granting of land deeds to people.