Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed Mahaweli Development Authority and Irrigation Department officials to take action to minimise the human-elephant conflict when implementing future development projects.
The Prime Minister said that it was due to the lack of proper planning, that wild elephants have started to encroach on human settlements.The Prime Minister was addressing a meeting with Irrigation Department and the Mahaweli Development Authority officials.
He said that special attention must be drawn on development projects implemented by the Mahaweli Development Authority and the Irrigation Department in all districts throughout the country.
The meeting also focused attention on the installation of solar panels, rehabilitation of tanks, flood control and the commencement of essential projects for the people.
In addition, the Prime Minister said that in the next two years, many projects will be vested with the public, with a systematic monetary control, that will curb the many irregularities that have taken place over the past five years.
He also said that allocation of funds for these new projects and proposed projects is an important task in the coming budget after the General Election.
Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, Secretary to the Prime Minister Gamini Senarath,Secretary to the Finance Ministry S.R.Attygala, Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development Ministry Secretary Major General (rtd) Sumedha Perera were present.
(Daily News)