Rs. 28 b for “Sapiri Gamak” program

• All 14,000 Grama Niladhari divisions to receive Rs. 2 m for development work 

• Village committees to decide on projects, request for funds before 15 Jan. 

• Nine categories identified for projects that must be completed by Nov.  

The Government has allocated Rs. 28 billion to carry out infrastructure development at the village level countrywide in the New Year, the Finance Ministry said in a statement yesterday. 

The Rs. 28 billion will be divided up amongst all 14,021 Grama Niladhari Divisions, with each area getting Rs. 2 million to be spent on village-level infrastructure. The statement by the Finance Ministry said that Cabinet approval has already been given for the program, which will be titled “Sapiri Gamak.”  

“The program will focus on developing the livelihoods and employment opportunities of villagers. It will particularly target improving self-employment and entrepreneurship efforts of young people and women. The projects will be picked under nine categories and the residents of the area will have the opportunity to be involved in the process of picking which projects to fund,” the Finance Ministry statement said. 

Village roads, bridges, and drainage systems as well as repair of paddy warehouses, and premises where weekly fairs and small shops are located are among the priority categories. The villagers can also decide if they want nearby dams, tanks and wells be developed. Additionally drinking water projects, health centres and school development efforts can be picked. Each project has to be between Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 2 million. 

Village committees including local politicians will be formed to decide on the projects. All public employees will also need to be involved in the projects, according to the Finance Ministry. The Development Officer of the respective Grama Niladhari Divisions will act as the Convener of the village committees. 

“The village committees have to be formed before 27 December and the relevant projects have to be submitted to the Divisional Secretaries for approval before 31 December. Requests for provisions have to be made before 15 January and all projects have to be completed before 30 November 2020. All projects have to be completed according to the regulations and procedures set out by law,” the statement added. 

The “Sapiri Gamak” program is being launched under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s “Saubagye Dekma” manifesto that pledged additional funding to reduce regional disparities.