These rural bridges coming up in 11 Divisional Secretariat areas in 9 electorates in the Badulla District will help to improve the economic conditions of nearly 300,000 people, according to Badulla District Secretary Rohana Disanayaka.
Badulla district’s total population is 811,758 comprising of 239,463 families in 567 Grama Seva Divisions. The district consists of 1,991 villages where 59,273 Divi Neguma beneficiaru families live.
The programme introduced in accordance with the Mahinda Chinthana Vision is activated island wide. These steel bridges have been built without arches so that they can withstand natural disasters resulting from climatic changes.
Since 75 percent of the country’s population live in rural areas, Minister Rajapaksa has expressed confidence that these bridges would help strengthen the rural economy and raise the living standards of villagers. He added that roads built under the Maga Neguma Programme have helped to increase productivity and improve the incomes of the rural population. This is seen especially in the agricultural and plantation sectors, according to him. The bridges will also greatly benefit ordinary commuters and school children.
These rural bridges are being constructed under the guidance of Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Dilan Perera, Laksman Senevirathna, Former Chief Minister Shashindra Rajapaksha, Parliamentarians Chamika Buddhadasa, Udith Lokubandara, Rohana Pushpakumara, Thenuka Vidanagamage and Badulla District Secretary Rohana Disanayaka.(KH)
