Japan funds rural development in Badulla

[TamilNet, Friday, 22 July 2005, 10:30 GMT]
Japanese Governement is to provide Rs 9 million for the "rehabilitation of the Galahagama Irrigation scheme, construction of the Welihela Ladduma Water Supply Project and improve the Kahatapitiya - Hangiliela Road," said a press release issued by Japanese Embassy in Colombo Friday.

Full text of the press release follows:

The Government of Japan provides a sum of US$ 90,110 (approximately Rs. 9 million) towards the "Project for supporting Rural Development in Uvaparanagama, Badulla District". The project is to be implemented by the Uvaparabagama Pradeshiya Sabhawa in Badulla.

The grant will be utilized for rehabilitation of the Galahagama Irrigation scheme, construction of the Welihela Ladduma Water Supply Project and improve the Kahatapitiya - Hangiliela Road.

It has been recognized that the Galahagama irrigation scheme, which provides irrigation water to 250 acres of cultivated land was destroyed due to heavy rain during December 2004 and since then the water distribution for the agricultural lands are in stand still. This has caused a severe damage to over 600 farmer families who are depending on the Galahagama irrigation scheme. Further, the community has been facing hardships due to inadequate basic facilities including pipe born drinking water and access road facilities. It was revealed that the people get water from dug wells or streams, which can be unhygienic and unprotected. During the dry season, people walk long distances in search of water for drinking purposes. The condition of the road from Kahatapitiya - Hangiliela, which was constructed during the British rule, is dilapidated due to lack of maintenance. Hence, the project aims to accomplish a long felt and urgent need of the communities concerned.

With the implementation of the project, it is expected that the farmers whose livelihood is based on agriculture will be benefited at large from the uninterrupted supply of water for farming purposes. This will improve farmer income by increasing productivity, intensity and provision of uninterrupted irrigation water to fields.

The project also targets to provide drinking water supply to over 300 families living in and around Ladduwa in the Uvaparanagama Pradeshiya Sabhawa. Improvements to road network will upgrade transportation system in the area.

The Government of Japan have assisted in many ways for the development of poor villages in Sri Lanka. Through this project, Japan hopes that the livelihood of rural people in the Uva will be significantly improved.

The signing of the Grant Contract took place at the Embassy of Japan on the 22nd July 2005. Mr. Hiroshi Karube, Chargé d' Affaires, a.i. and Ms. Malwatta, Chairman of the Uvaparanagama Pradeshiya Sabhawas signed the Grant Contract. Mr. Upali Samaraweera, Leader of Opposition, Uva Provincial Council and Dr. Miyahara, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan were also present at the ceremony. (END).