Minister Basil Rajapaksa launches development project:
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa told the people in Delft Island, to get ready to receive tourists under their care as he has plans to put up cabana like tourist cottages to be maintained by residents of the island.
The beautification of the island as a tourist attraction will be undertaken by the government. The deepening of the Dutch period Jetty was officially commissioned by the minister.
The people who will own the cottages once completed will be trained in hospitality trade as it is the people of the island will maintain and manage those cottages that will bring them an additional revenue.
Work on a water supply scheme to ensure pure drinking water, improvement of the roadways and the renovation of the Jetty commenced on Saturday under Minister Rajapaksa’s patronage. A bund to prevent salt water intrusion is also to be constructed shortly.
Meanwhile on par with the development in the mainland in Jaffna peninsula, people living in the islands were provided with their basic needs under an ongoing fast track development project by the Economic Development Ministry under the guidance of minister Rajapaksa.
Around 1500 families who were provided water through bowsers so far were given pipe borne water. Water through the pipeline is being taken to Mandativu from Allaippiddy around 25 km away from the island. The project costs Rs 11 million.
The minister after opening the water scheme on Saturday at Mandativu Vidyalayam, said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the authorities to uplift the livelihood of the people while carrying out development activities.
“First priority is given for pipe borne water supply followed by providing facilities for agriculture and fishery activities. Water pumps, Fishery nets and other essentials are being distributed among the people as immediate livelihood assistance,” he said.
Minister Douglas Devananda and Governor G A Chandrasiri were also present.
The minister also has another plan for Delft Island. That is to convert it into a tourist resort with the setting up of new tourist hotels in the coming years.
The minister observed that this is the first time since independence that the Jaffna peninsula has been allocated a vast amount for a series of development activities in the mainland and the islands.
A water supply scheme and the rehabilitation of the salt water exclusion bund was also inaugurated by the minister.
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