(17.08.2010)   Construction of the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway project is progressing as scheduled.  This 25.8 km expressway from the New Kelani bridge to Katunayake is being built as a high mobility link between the city of Colombo and Katunayake International Airport, to promote outward migration of people from Colombo area, to improve mobility needs of the industrial development areas in the vicinity and the associated container traffic, and to reduce traffic congestion on the A3 road (Peliyagoda-Puttalam road).  85% of the 292 Million U.S.Dollar project is being funded by a Chinese Government loan. The project is being implemented by the Metallurgical China Group Corporation.

(26.07.2010)   The Tourist Development Authority has made arrangements to establish 13 Tourist Resorts in the Passikudah Tourist Zone, in the Trincomalee District, amounting to cost Rs. 12 Billion.

Hon’ble President Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse will declare open the Mahinda Rajapakse National Tele-Cinema Park on Tuesday 30th March, 2010 at 4.00 p.m.  The first stage of this project has been completed at a cost of Rs. 600 Million. 

Sri Lanka became a focal point in attracting foreigners since ancient times.  Marco Polo described Sri Lanka as “the finest island for its size in all the world” Tourism has become the most vibrant sector of Sri Lanka following the end of war. Tourist arrivals have increased immensely providing a huge boost to the country’s economic growth. Following the end of war upto end of January,  nearly 400,000 tourists visited Sri Lanka. It is targeted to attract 1.5 million tourists by the end of this year, and it has been declared year 2011 as “Visit Sri Lanka Year”.   The government’s vision for the tourism sector is to make Sri Lanka the foremost leisure destination in the South Asian Region. Sri Lanka is planning to promote the country and its attractions during the 2011 World Cup, scheduled to be held in February and March 2011.

Transport is a vital link for development and for decades Badulla and Moneragala districts were virtually isolated from the rest of Sri Lanka due to lack of accessibility. Landslides were a common occurrence in the two districts and this led to the virtual closure of roads. Even train services too were affected due to this. Due to this, even the investors had shunned the two districts which led to the government having to give out more incentives to the underprivileged population.

The government firmly believes that raising the living standards of the poor population, strengthening their moral standards and alleviating the difficulties faced by them, this population can be made valuable partners in the development of the country.  Samurdhi Development Programme is the scheme underwhich the government envisages to achieve these objectives.  Mahindana Chintana presented at the time of 2005 Presidential Election emphasizied the importance of this programme, and clearly stipulated the benefits to be accrued by Samurdhi recipients (Mahinda Chintana Pages 14 and 15).

Ratnapura district which is situated in the island’s western slopes of the central hill country is bordered by Colombo, Kegalle, Badulla and Hambantota districts. The district occupies a land area of 3275 square kilometres with a population of 1,096,760 according to 2008 statistics. Ratnapura district consists of 8 electorates, namely Ratnapura, Ehaliyagoda, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla, Balangoda, Kalawana, Rakwana and Kolonne. At present the district is represented in the legislature by two senior cabinet Ministers and four non cabinet Ministers and two opposition parliamentarians.

With the implementation of major power projects presently under way following the bold decision taken by President Mahinda Sri will end the Bottle Lamp Era within the next 10 months.  These Projects had been kept shelved without implementing by the past rulers due to political reasons thereby plunging the country to face a serious power crisis.

Rohana Kingdom is the land of heritage.  It is from this land there emerged the great Kings of Sri Lanka.  When the country faced perils or aggressions it is the sons of this land who took the lead to salvage the nation.  Hambantota covering a land area of 2,579.3 sq. km is the central and focal point on this great territory.

Kalutara District which inherits a scenic coastal belt, the beautiful marshy lands on both sides of the banks of the Kalu Ganga, is a district which consists different geological phenomenon.  This district which is administered by 14 Divisional Development Secretariat has a land area of 1,598 sq. km.  There are 76 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the district.  The population in the district amounts to 1,102,000 persons.

This is a Brief Summary of the development initiatives during The last four years of Ratnapura District.

Polonnaruwa, which was the well developed ancient capital city of Sri Lanka and known as Pulathisipurawaraya, was destroyed and grounded by the Dravidian aggressor Kalinga Maga because of disunity among the Sinhalese. The second Kingdom Polonnaruwa became engrossed with forest due to this destruction.

Based on the Honourable President’s vision to enhance facilities for the National Fraternity of Arts, the Ministry of Mass Media and Information is construction a Tele Cinema Garden at Ranminitenna, in Tissamaharamaya in 235 acre land.

Gampaha which is covered by five villages, is an area full of beauty, a fountain of many historical accounts, an area that was renowned in the ancient times of Kings, is a place held in celebrity by many.  This territory held in worship in the past had become the Gampaha district today.

Just For The Environment & Bio-Diversity Development, Government has spend total amount of Rs. 1,595 Millions during last four years.