A three - year action plan is prepared for the development of rural infrastructure throughout the island. Hon.Minister of Tourism, Prasanna Ranatunga says that it is being implemented under the National Program of Uplift the Rural Economy. Accordingly, Hon.Minister, Prasanna Ranatunga said that it is expected to expand schools, rural hospitals, playgrounds and multi-purpose buildings as well as facilities related to health, education and sports and youth in all Grama Niladhari’s divisions in the country.
He made these comments while speaking at a meeting of the Gampaha District Social Infrastructure Committee held recently under the National Rural Economic Development Programme on the instructions of Hon.Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa. The meeting was chaired by Hon.Ministers, Namal Rajapaksa and Prasanna Ranatunga.
During the discussion, it was revealed that there are 1032 vacancies for teachers in the Gampaha District. Hon.Minister, Prasanna Ranatunga instructed the officials to take steps to recruit those who have passed the Teachers' Examination held by the Western Provincial Council last time for these vacancies. Provincial Chief Secretary, Mrs. Jayanthi Wijetunga said that necessary steps have been taken for that. Hon.Minister, Namal Rajapaksa said that a national programme is being implemented to fill the vacancies of teachers in Schools Islandwide. He pointed out that such vacancies will be filled in the future.
It was also decided to reactivate the Structure Committees of the Provincial Council which are not functioning at present. Rs.109.6 million has been allocated for the completion and repair of half- completed buildings in schools. School toilets and urinals are also expected to be completed soon. Rs. 684 million is to be allocated for the development of health infrastructure in the Gampaha District. Under this programme, it is expected to provide the necessary infrastructure facilities for child and maternity clinics throughout the district. There are 106 child and maternity clinics in the district. It was also decided to resolve the existing problems of the Ragama Hospital expeditiously.
Meanwhile, 100 walking lanes will be constructed islandwide. This project is handled by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. Hon.Minister of Youth and Sports, Namal Rajapaksa said that a special project to empower 25,000 young and female entrepreneurs is also in progress. These programms are scheduled to begin in early March. Accordingly, it was decided to select two entrepreneurs in each Grama Niladhari’s Division and provide them with the necessary facilities to start new businesses.
The discussion also focused on the steps taken to control the Covid -19 pandemic in the Gampaha District. Rs.8323 million has been spent on welfare activities due to the Covid pandemic. Hon. State Minister, Sudarshani Fernandopulle said that the distribution of Covid vaccine to the general public in the Gampaha District will begin this week. Hon State Minister further said that the vaccine has already been given to the health and security officials in the district.
Hon.Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Namal Rajapaksa stated that the development of rural playgrounds will commence from March 02. Rs. 5 million will be allocated for the development of urban and rural sports grounds. The amount allocated for the development of a school playground is Rs. 3 million. Special committees will also be appointed for the administration of the main stadiums.
Hon.State Ministers, Nimal Lansa, Vijitha Berugoda, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Sisira Jayakody, Gampaha District Secretary, Sunil Jayalath, Gampaha District Coordinating Committee Chairman, Sahan Pradeep, all District Parliamentarians, Divisional Secretaries and Secretaries to the Ministries were present on the occasion.
