Southern Development

Southern Development, not an overnight task

Walter LIYANARACHCHI

Developing Southern Province has no connections with the on-going elections or future elections. In simple language, the Government is in the process of implementing the aspirations and objectives embodied in the Mahinda Chintana policies. As the polices streamline the Government was able to finalise diversified projects namely road network, irrigation, vocational training, providing electricity for rural community and various other community-based projects in addition to major projects planned, said Ports, Aviation and Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa.

The Southern Development activities did not commence overnight. The difficult task of providing infrastructure facilities, constructing new roads and renovating the existing roads, building new tanks and renovating the existing tanks and various other community-based development ventures commenced from the very first date of ‘Mahinda Chintana’ policies were launched, said Media Minister and Government Media Spokesman, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

H’tota land prices up in view of development

In order to provide solutions to the water problems, the Irrigation Minister focused his attention to construct and rehabilitate the dilapidated tanks. Veheregala tank was a massive project and the work had been completed within a very short period. The construction work in various other irrigation projects such as Rambukkan Oya, Moragahakanda, are in progress. Apart from developing other sectors such as industries, fisheries, the Government is forging ahead towards an era of hydraulic civilization existed during the period of our ancient kings, Irrigation Department Director General H. P. S. Somasiri said.

Today the gloomy picture of Hambantota has faded away. Dilapidated roads with potholes have been converted to widened and carpeted roads. The roads are constructed to suit the requirements of the years to come, a District Secretariat official said.

In view of the large on-coming projects such as the international harbour, and airport, oil refinery project in Mirijjawila, salt project, Siribopura mega housing scheme, BoI projects at Kasagala, international sports complex, huge irrigation projects and various other projects, the people in the District look enthused and invigorated.

The value of the lands has also been remarkably increased. A peasant residing by the side of the Colombo-Kataragama road in Hambantota said he was offered only Rs. 1000/- per perch when he wanted to sell his land and leave the district in search of an employment sometime ago. But fortunately due to the objections raised by the wife he did not go ahead with the transaction. Today the price has risen to 100%. He said: “Now I have no intention to sell my 22 perch land at any cost and I am planning to commence an eating house.” Most of the outsiders are trying to encroach State lands preparing bogus deeds through unscrupulous elements and the government land authorities should take a note of this fact, he said.

Hambantota District is agriculture-based and most of the farmers are cultivating paddy.

The District is frequently subjected to lengthy droughts and due to the lack of water the farmers deal with chena cultivation which is insufficient to meet both ends. Water was the biggest problem they faced but less attention was drawn by the successive governments to provide them with water.

Realising the problem faced by the poor farmer, Port, Aviation and Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa has taken immediate steps not only to rehabilitate the existing tanks but also to construct new tanks. Construction of new tank is not an easy task and it requires special acquaintance with the expertise principles of reservoir construction.

Agriculture production is important for food security because it is a source of income for the majority of the rural poor. And also agriculture is a vital development tool for achieving the government’s perspective that calls halving the poverty alleviation in the district within the next two years. It is also a strong option for spurring growth, overcoming poverty and enhancing food security. Agriculture and irrigation both entwined together. Although necessary resources are available in the Hambantota District to develop agriculture due to the lack of water the farmers are taken aback and discouraged, he further said.

Second largest new tank to wet south this year

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The Kakiriobada reservoir will be commissioned by the end of this year fulfilling a long felt need of farmers and cultivators in Belliatte and Tangalle. The construction of the reservoir is now rapidly progressing.

Kakiriobada reservoir is the second largest newly constructed tank in the south and Veheragala was the first.

The reservoir will definitely be a boon to the farmers in the Southern Province as it will enable them to cultivate both seasons (Yala and Maha). Farmers are unable to cultivate their lands in the Yala season as they do not have enough water for irrigation and they have to depend solely on rain water. Therefore the farmers can cultivate only in Maha season.

“The main purpose of constructing a reservoir is to supply water for cultivation in Beliatte and Tangalle areas where people are badly affected by the scarcity of water. In addition a mechanism has to be established to supply water for the Kirama Oya project. Kirama Oya project which has nineteen anicuts was constructed several years ago. However Kirama Oya runs dry frequently due to deficiency of water. Therefore Kekiriobada will supply water to these 19 anicuts enabling farmers to engage in their farming activities without any obstacle throughout the year” Engineering Assistant of Kakiriobada reservoir project Niranjala Shiromani Ranaweera said.

The 100 feet high dam of Kakiriobada project will hold 2.7 million cubic meters of water which is more than sufficient for supplying water for cultivation during the whole year while supplying water for the Kirama Oya project.

Kekiriobada reservoir is being constructed by damming Kakirioya river at Kakiriobada area. The project which commenced in 2006 is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of this year. After completion, the reservoir will provide water to 5,535 acres of paddy lands while supplying water for various other activities of thousands of people. Apart from the beneficiary families of Kirama Oya project, around 3,500 farming families are directly benefitted by this project. The Government has taken steps to resettle 54 families displaced by the reservoir in Sooriyawewa area. According to the Irrigation Department sources these families have been resettled in modern houses with of all facilities.

”We are happy to mention, that the entire construction work of the project is handled by local experts” Ranaweera added.

The project is jointly funded by the Sri Lankan Government and the Government of Japan. Of Rs. 718 million of the total cost of the project Rs. 273 million is provided by the Sri Lankan Government while the balance Rs. 445 million is provided by the Japanese Government.

Untapped resources in South developed

Raja WAIDYASEKERA Tissamaharama special corr.

Most untapped resources in the South had been identified during this regime and had taken steps to develop them. Today the community is accuring the benefits of those. However it is learnt that there are more untapped resources scattered in the South. Plans are afoot to develop them in the very near future, said Port and Civil Aviation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa.

Great importance

About fifteen years ago I was a MP of the then opposition and as such I had enough time to travel round the district and see for myself the places in the district which are of great importance for the economy, he said.

The Minister said so addressing the meeting that followed the laying of foundation stones for the LAUGHS salt and Chemical Industries at Chitragala lagoon in Hambantota.

Continuing the Minister said most of the resources in the district still remains untapped. It was the bounden duty of investors and would be investors to tap these resources for the benefit of the district and the people.

Various industrial ventures can be set up utilising these resources and provide jobs to the jobless youths in the district if these resources are tapped.

There was a sea port at Godawaya in ancient days.

People from China had come to the Hambantota district through this see port and engaged themselves in trade activities.

Construction

This has been proved with recent excavations carried out by the Archaeology Department.

The entire construction work of the Hambantota sea port will come to a climax in 2017. It will be five fold bigger than the Colombo harbour.

Maththala Air Port construction is now in full serving. An International Playground and stadium is being set up at Meegaha Jandura.

A convention hall similar to that of BMICH in Colombo is being set up at Siribopura, Hambantota.

Several star hotels will be set up to cater to the arrival of tourists from various destinations the Minister concluded.

LAUGFS Holdings Ltd Chairman W. K. H. Wegapitiya said salt will be produced at the initial stage and chemicals, like chlorine and caustic soda will be produced at the saltern later to save a colossal sum of foreign exchange drained to foreign countries for such products.

General Manager Wasantha Ranasinghe, Hambantota DS Ganesh Amarasinghe, LAUGFS Holdings Ltd Managing Director Thilak De Silva were present at the occasion.

SDA development objectives fulfilled

Walter LIYANARACHCHI

The Wide scope of responsibilities assigned to the Southern Development Authority includes national development, alleviation of poverty, and keeping up the life standard of the public. During past 4 years this objectives of the SDA has been successfully completed and a number of on-going projects on the card, Southern Development Authority Chairman Ranjit Gunasekera told Daily News.

Detailing the mission vision of the SDA, Gunasekera said that the Sri Lanka Southern Development Authority was established under Sri Lanka Southern Development Authority Act No. 18 of 1996 with the objective of increasing the production in the Southern region ensuring economic and social awakening and maximize the regions' contribution to the GNP.

The area of authority of this organization covers districts of Matara, Galle and Hambantota in the Southern Province, District of Monaragala and Divisional Secretary's Division of Kolonna and Embilipitiya in Ratnapura district. The head quarters is situated in Matara while district offices are maintained in the relevant districts.

Special projects

During the past 12 years of existence, the Sri Lanka Southern Development Authority has implemented its development activities in using various approaches. Several projects pertaining to medium scale industries, small scale infrastructure development and employment generation encouraging private sector investments have been implemented in the project area. Action was initiated in 2007 implement Jathika Saviya Gama Neguma Program in the selected Grama Niladhari Division in the region. Accordingly, 47 Wasams in the districts of Matara, Galle and Hambantota were selected for the implementation of several development projects on priority basis which includes 20 km of roads, 581 houses for low income groups, 352 sanitary programs and 45 model home gardens.

Further, 567 youths were trained in the fields of heavy vehicle driving, three wheeler driving, nursing, hotel industry and sewing. Fifty percent of them are gainfully employed.

Gama Neguma

In extending the Gama Neguma Program, the Authority has selected additional 100 Wasams for development. The Sri Lanka Southern Development Authority was entrusted with the overall development of these selected Wasams to set an example to the other agencies who are involved in Gama Neguma Program.

With special emphasis on this objective, the Authority directed more attention to the livelihood and spiritual development over and above the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure activities in 2008. All activities in selected Wasams have now been planned and work initiated although there was a delay due to constraints in selecting villages.

Progress with regard to the Gama Neguma Activities

It is expected that all activities implemented in Wasam by line Ministries, Provincial Council and Local Government Agencies, and NGOs are properly and duly co-ordinated under Gama Neguma Program. On this basis, apart from the projects that are implemented under Authority's provision, the Authority has always endeavoured to refer the programs which can be implemented by the other line Ministries or private sector in order to obtain their financial and technical support and their reaction is encouraging.

Corporate Plan

The Authority initiated action to formulate its Corporate Plan in 2008. The Authority managed to achieve considerable progress on the continuation works on major and medium scale projects commenced in the previous years with due reference to the proposals included in the Corporate Plan, in addition to the projects under Gama Neguma Projects. Among the medium scale projects, Eco-Tourism Program in Kiralakele/Matara, Fish canning factory in Kaduruduwawatte in Akmeemana Divisional Secretary's Division and the Handugala Tea Factory with the assistance of a private investor are worthy of mentioning.

It is computed that around 2315 direct employment opportunities will be generated through these projects with a number of indirect employment in the surrounding areas. In order to encourage the local milk production and the consumption of liquid milk as envisaged in the Mahinda Chinthana, suitable lands in the four districts have been selected to set up 04 milk production villages, Accordingly, the land called Kohilawagurawatte with an extent of 200 acres in Karandeniya Division in Galle District has been taken over and infrastructure facilities are being provided to set up a milk production village.

Along with the milk production program, a program to encourage organic fertilizer units, bio gas units, inland fisheries and agricultural products are also under way, in contributing to the Government's local food production drive.

An extent of 50 acres of this land will be utilized for coconut cultivation while a apportion of the land facing the Madu Ganga will contain a Tourist Resort through private sector participation, he said.

			 Physical Progress	                	  Financial Progress	
	                                                                  	Rs. Mn
                        No of				                              Beneficiaries
	           	Projects Completed In Progress	Allocation	Expenditure		

Infrastructure 
Development

Rural Roads		93	02		91	55.99		1.76		13193
Low in come housing	77	-		77	94.54		15.77		1082

Spiritual 
Development

Social Welfare		113	05		108	33.74		4.59		11233
Religious and Cultural
Development		45	09		36	6.95		0.10		11278
Attitudinal Development	48	26		22	3.50		0.36		1686
Heath Program		39	-		39	6.82		0.18		767

Livelihood 
Development

Irrigation		36	-		36	9.35		-		3629
Agriculture		232	3		229	34.73		0.70		5539
Animal Husbandry	48	5		43	3.42		0.07		399
Fisheries		09	-		09	1.43		-		567
Enterprises		101	18		83	6.51		0.43		1454
Vocational Training	129	-		129	11.34		-		803
Marketing Development	31	-		31	3.63		-		4896

Grand Total		1001	68		933	271.95		23.96		56526

Vocational training in South, a success

Walter LIYANARACHCHI

The Vocational and Technical Training Ministry has taken steps during the past four years to open Vocational Training Institutes and Technical Colleges for the youth in the South who had failed to continue their higher studies. The technical colleges in Galle, Balapitiya, Matara, Beliatte and Weeravila technical colleges were modernised to suit the present requirements said Vocational Training Minister Piyasena Gamage. The status of the Galle Technical College had been elevated with the assistance of Germany. Modern courses with practical and theoretical were introduced and had installed new machinery for trainees. Rs. 267 million had been spent to renovate the Galle Technical College.

The successful candidates who complete the courses successfully and who get through the relevant examinations were given an opportunity to enter the College of Technology commenced in 2009 and paved the way to obtain degrees to become engineers.

On instructions of the President a technical college had been set up in 2008 spending a sum of Rs. 134.5 billion. Two modern swimming pools have also been constructed.

The Weerawila technical college complex construction work is in progress and the amount estimated is Rs. 45 million.

During the year 765 students from Galle District, 375 students from Matara District and 1,580 students from Hambantota District were qualified to complete the courses and they all were abe to obtain employment in their relevant fields.

Meantime, the Vocational Training Institutes in the South had also increased considerably marking a record. Twenty District community vocational training centres amalgamated to Galle District Elpitiya Vocational Training Institute had been opened, in Matara 13 centres, and amalgamated to Mirijjawila Vocational Training Centre 13 institutes had also been set up.

In addition special and modernised vocational institutes have been opened in Koggala, Talalla, Ahangama, Tangalle, and Hikkaduwa with assistance of UN aid, benefitting thousands of youth and providing them employment. The Korean government has spent Rs. 400 million to open the Galle Niyagama Vocational Training Centre.

During the academic year 2007/2008, 2,276 youth in Galle District, 1,150 in Matara District and 1,299 youth in Hambantota had been successfully trained making them qualified to obtain employment in relevant fields.

In addition 512 youth had been trained by the National Apprenticeship Board.

In view of the progress achieved in the South in Vocational sector the Minister Piyasena Gamage requests the youth to make use of the windows open for them to receive vocational training.