The President was speaking at the progress review meeting of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, held on Thursday (Feb. 16) at the auditorium of the Mahaweli Authority.
The representatives of Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, Central Environmental Authority, Department of Forest Conservation, Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, Marine Environmental Protection Authority, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, Gem and Jewelery Research and Training Institute and other institutions under the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment attended this meeting held to discuss about the progress related to the capital expenditure and the development plans for the year of 2017.
The President pointed out that all institutions should work together in implementing of development projects.
The officers explained that the 76 per cent of the building of Moragahakanda has been completed by now. They also said 70 per cent of the Uma Oya construction has been completed while they will rapidly solve the environmental problems of the Wayamba Ela Development Project.
Construction of 300 small tanks based on the Mahaweli Zone will be implemented in the near future. The President directed the officials to get the contribution of the farmers’ associations in developing the tanks in divisional levels. He also pointed out the importance of the formality and the transparency of these development projects.
The modernization of the facilities of all tourist bungalows under the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment has been expedited. There will be a facility for anybody to book those bungalows through internet by the end of May this year.
“All officers should be responsible for proper use of the money, allocated for the projects”, the President said. He directed the officials to take measures to hand over 60,000 deeds of the lands in the Mahaweli Zone, to the people within next few months.
President Sirisena instructed the officials to implement the planting program to be carried out under the project to increase the forest density, in line with the beginning of the rain season in March and April.
