Batticaloa: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasized the importance of prioritizing the development of rural roads, drinking water supply, and waste management in the upcoming Budget during the Special District Coordination Committee Meeting at the Batticaloa District Secretariat.
According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the President urged public representatives and community members to collaborate on a report detailing the water supply projects needed to address the drinking, irrigation, and industrial water needs of the Batticaloa District. He announced that officials, including those from the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, would be dispatched to the region to facilitate discussions on this matter.
Immediate temporary measures were also ordered by President Dissanayake to alleviate the drinking water crisis until the completion of proposed large-scale projects. He assured that the Government would provide the necessary funding for all projects planned by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.
Attention was also directed towards ongoing road and bridge construction projects. The President instructed that construction on all planned roads should commence within the year, addressing the challenges faced in their execution.
The meeting addressed various issues, including land-related challenges, particularly those concerning cultivated lands within wildlife zones, and the longstanding requests from dairy farmers regarding grazing lands. Discussions also covered initiatives to fully develop the Valaichchenai Harbour, a crucial hub for the fishing industry, and the need for a lighthouse facility.
The session also reviewed flood control preparedness, human-elephant conflict mitigation projects, and healthcare facility improvements. The President checked on the progress of compensation programmes for cyclone Ditwah-affected areas and the construction of new houses, urging expedited action on these fronts.
Furthermore, extensive discussions were held about the ‘Prajashakthi’ programme’s implementation within the Batticaloa District, addressing the challenges encountered.
The meeting saw participation from key figures, including Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Eastern Province Governor Dr. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekara, Members of Parliament, and various government officials and security forces representatives.