Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2012-10-31

Progress of the Accelerated Development Programme up to 15th October 2012, on providing Relief Assistance and uplifting the livelihood of the drought affected people

- this programme was implemented under four major projects as indicated below for the drought affected people in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala and Puttalam Districts and the Government has spent an amount of Rs.4,606.62 million on these activities:

* increasing the water retention capacity by de-silting 972 reservoirs and tanks at a cost of Rs.3,444.61 million.
* labour contribution by drought affected farmers for the above work and also for development of agricultural roads and cleaning of canals for which payment in cash amounting to Rs.1,113.95 million was made to the farmers.
* reconstruction of 2,553 Agro Wells at a cost of Rs.24.78 million
* provision of drinking water for the people in the drought affected areas at a cost of Rs.23.28 million.
The above information was provided to the Cabinet of Ministers by H.E. the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning.