‘Eka Gamakata Eka Wedak’ gets underway

Saturday, 24 March 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday launched the countrywide development program branded ‘Eka Gamakata Eka Wedak’ at Wevita Maithri Vidyalaya in Bandaragama.

Simultaneously the program was launched in more than 14,000 villages throughout the country, said the Ministry of Economic Development, which is spearheading the initiative under the ‘Gama Neguma’ national development program.

A large number of Ministers, politicians, school children and general public joined the event.

President Rajapaksa in his 2012 Budget speech put forward several proposals aimed at rural development. One of these proposals that come under the purview of Ministry of Economic Development was the ‘One project – one village’ program.

Under this initiative, Rs. 1 million has been allocated to implement a development project in each Grama Niladhari division countrywide.

The Ministry said 14019 villages countrywide will be developed under the ‘One project – one Village’ program and Rs. 14 billion has been allocated for same.

Development proposals for this project were selected as proposed by Pradesheya Sabha Members, Provincial Council members and district parliamentarians through Janasaba and Divisional Coordination committees.

Minster of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa participated in district level meetings to select proposals and allocate funds for the ‘One project – one village’ Development project in every district.

The projects will cover minor irrigation schemes, drinking water projects, village roads, extension of rural electricity, development of school facilities including provision of toilets, pre-schools, development of dhamma schools, health clinics, maternal clinics, development of children’s play grounds and other playgrounds, weekly fairs, developing service centres for small industries and traditional industries, co-operative development, modernising paddy and fertiliser storage facilities, environmental protection and forest conservation etc.