Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-04-19

Implementation of the Rural Infrastructure Development Programme - 2016

- It has been proposed through the Budget - 2016 to provide Rs.10 lakhs per Grama Niladhari Division in order to develop rural infrastructure facilities determined by the people of those areas as necessary to implement expeditiously for the upliftment of the living conditions and the livelihood of the rural communities. The Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs has already provided the instructions necessary to all the District Secretaries to implement the relevant projects in accordance with the said proposal. According to the proposal, a Committee comprising of the leaders of rural community organizations should identify 2-5 rural infrastructure development programmes for each Grama Niladhari Division, where priority should be given for the construction and improvement of the community based water supply projects, provision of drinking water, small scale power generating projects, rural roads, bridges, culverts, foot bridges, etc. and the projects which uplift the livelihood of the rural community and the activities related to the construction and renovation of canals, anicuts, ponds and agro wells under the minor irrigation projects for agricultural activities. This programme is expected to be completed by 31st of October, 2016. Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, the Prime Minister in his capacity as the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs submitted the information on the implementation of this project, to the Cabinet.