Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2019-01-14

High Priority Economic and Social Empowerment and Infrastructure Development Projects in the Northern and Eastern Provinces

- Due to the lapses in the development in the Northern and Eastern provinces for a period of more than three decades, a special project has been proposed to be implemented to accelerate the development in those areas by improving the economic and social infrastructure facilities and facilitating the livelihood development. Accordingly, the programmes will be implemented in such sectors paying special attention towards agricultural, industrial, fisheries and service sectors. It has also been scheduled to provide facilities related to livelihood under this project such as rural roads, anchorages and landing sites, jetties, accesses between islands and main islands, agricultural equipment, agro wells, fishing boats and engines, self‑employment related equipment and technology, market facilities, storage and related infrastructure facilities.
Accordingly, the proposal made by Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, the Prime Minister and Minister of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement & Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training & Skills Development and Youth Affairs, to secure a sum of Rs.2,000 million for the expeditious implementation of this project through the 04 sectors of economic infrastructure facilities, social infrastructure facilities, livelihood and self‑employment and small industries and enterprises, was approved by the Cabinet.