It is a project implemented in accordance with a concept of President Maithripala Sirisena to show the path to the people to escape the trap of dependency and to achieve self-sufficiency in partnership with the private sector. This project is successfully operating in the Divisional Secretariat level targeting the underprivileged people.
According to the statistics at present the poverty index of the Kandy District is 5.5%, while the underprivileged population is 76,429. The Nuwara Eliya District has a poverty index of 6.3 % and the underprivileged population of 46,257. The poverty index of the Matale District is 3.9 % and the underprivileged population is 19,359.
A number of projects have been implemented under the Grama Shakthi People’s Movement targeting these people to uplift their livelihood, and it was discussed in detail regarding the progress of those projects and the issues arisen when implementing these projects.
The discussion, which was attended by both the political authorities of the province and the state officials, also focused on the other issues faced by the people of the province and the prompt solutions that could be given to them.
During this meeting, the President pointed out that the Grama Shakthi People’s Movement should be implemented without any political differences. The President also stressed the need of uniting everyone with a greater accountability in this regard.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Matale Amban Ganga Vanilla Growers’ Grama Shakthi Association Ltd. and the McCormick company and another MoU between Nuwara Eliya flower Growers’ Grama Shakthi Association and the Hayleys PLC was signed. Accordingly, Hayleys will provide high quality seeds , necessary physical resources and knowledge to the suppliers and will issue a certificate confirming purchase of their productions.A Memorandum of Understanding also signed between the Galkadapatana crop producers and entrepreneurs Grama Shakthi Association Ltd. and Kyoto coffee company.
Thus the President provided the funds for the first quarter of secretaries of Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya districts. Rs. 60 million for the Kandy district, Rs.15 million for the Nuwara Eliya district, and Rs.33 million for the Matale district were provided.After this a bus was officially presented to the President which was for the usage of the Thalassemia patients and the President gave it to the director of the Kandy general hospital.
Minister Lakshman Kiriella, Uva province Governor P.B. Dissanayake, Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, and public representatives of the province and Secretaries of districts, Secretaries of Pradeshiya Sabha, heads of departments, and state officers of the province were also present in this event. After that, the President visited the Grama Shakthi manufacturing Village of Kotaligoda north of Yati Nuwara divisional secretariat and held discussions with the people.At the meeting made in Katapitiya Viharaya, several issues of the people of Kotaligoda village were presented to the President.The problem of drinking water, constructing roads, health and education as well as the issues regarding land deeds were also presented to the President.
The President, who was listening carefully to those issues, discussed the solutions that can be provided with Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake and district Secretary H.M.P Hitisekara and other officials.
According to the instructions of the President a sum of Rs.15 lacks for building the Kotaligoda development cooperation building and Rs.20 lacks for the “Nila Sewana” office construction were allocated.
President Sirisena advised the officials to quickly complete the deficiencies of the Kotaligoda hospital. He also promised to provide a new ambulance, which was essential to the hospital.
Chief Incumbent of Kotaligoda Katapitiya Pirivena, Ven. Sumanajothi Thero and the mahasanhga and public representatives and government officials were present in this event.
