Island-wide Deyata Kirula mobile services next year

Saturday, 5 October 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government has decided to extend the Deyata Kirula mobile services to all districts of the country from next year since the program has been proved very successful in the Kegalle, Kurunegala and Puttalam Districts. The decision follows the strong positive public response to mobile services in 2149 Grama Seva Divisions out of 2731 in the three districts where they are continuing parallel to the Deyata Kirula 2014 National Development Program, according to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. He said this at a discussion held in this connection at the Ministry auditorium last week. District Planning Directors and Senior Government representatives were briefed at this meeting on the Divi Neguma Program Stage Five which is scheduled to commence on 11 October at the auspicious time of 10:11 a.m. The Minister also said that plans have been drawn up to launch during the course next year a number of programs to build dams and construct canals to protect water resources both for agricultural and drinking purposes thereby ensuring water security. Funds will also be allocated under the one-task-for-one village program after identifying people’s requirements, according to Minister Rajapaksa who added that the Divi Neguma Department would be established on 1 January. The department will combine five institutions for the purpose of eliminating poverty in the island. He also said that from next year priority would be given to promoting liquid milk production in addition to making the country self-sufficient in red onions, cowpea, soya, chillies and other agricultural crops. Economic Development Ministry Additional Secretaries Hema Dharm-awardhana, Priyantha Mayadunne and Shantha Bandara as well as other senior officials participated in the discussion.