- the Government has already taken initiatives to connect all major townships, airports and ports by developing the country's road network and is planning to connect all the villages to the road network by implementing the investment plan for rural road connectivity. About 1,000 villages will be selected under this programme as rural hubs based on the population and development potential. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to support this programme by providing financial assistance in a sum of US $800 million to implement the programme in five Provinces through five projects as given below and the Government contribution for the entire programme is US $106 million:

* Project 1 - Southern Province
* Project 2 - Sabaragamuwa Province and the Kalutara District of Western Province
* Project 3 - Central Province
* Project 4 - North Central Province
* Project 5 - North Western Province

The proposal made by H.E. the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance and Planning, to proceed with the activities relating to the loan arrangements to be made with the ADB, was approved by the Cabinet.