Newly Developed Trincomalee District
Trincomalee which inherits a charming coast became very popular as tourist venue. Although the industries in the district were utterly ruined by the destructive war prevalent for the last 30 years, the district has started to awake from its ruins.
Trincomalee, the blessing of the Eastern Coast
Trincomalee which inherits a charming coast became very popular as tourist venue. Although the industries in the district were utterly ruined by the destructive war prevalent for the last 30 years, the district has started to awake from its ruins.
The Trincomalee District which belongs to the Eastern Province is surrounded by Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, and Mullativ districts. The population account to 412,457 persons belonging to 105,155 families. The land area covered by the district is 272,880 square kilometres and there are 11 Pradeshiya Sabhas and two Urban Councils in the district, represented by 230 Grama Seva Divisions. The area covered by water resources amount to 98 square kilometres. Majority of the population indulge in agricultural work and 44% of the land in the district is utilized for agricultural activities. The forest covers 30% of lands in the district.
Sixty percent of the population indulges in agriculture while 30% is involved in fishing activities. Government servants compose 1% of the population. 7% engage in self-employment and the balance 2% are occupied in the private sector.
A Development Era after 30 years.
Roads in the district were neglected during the war period that lasted for 30 years. Under the funds allocated through the Infrastructure Development Ministry, the Ministry of Nation Building, and the Ministry of Estate Infrastructure the Maga Neguma programme commenced construction of these roads during the last few months.
15 Road structures are available in the district under A and B categories. The 51.30 kilometres Ambepussa-Trincomalee road via Kurunegala occupies a significant place among these roads. Other than this, the Puttalam-Trincomalee Road and the Batticaloa-Trincomalee road come under the A category. The major road under B category is the Ella-Kantale road stretching for a length of 41 kilometres.
All the major roads in the district which help the people in their day to day activities have already been renovated and reconstructed. On the Trincomalee-Pulmuddai road for reconstruction from 7.10 km to 27.5 km stretch, Rs. 665 million has been allocated and work amounting to Rs. 375 million has already been completed. This amounts to 68% of the project. In the same road, for development from 27.50 km to 47.50 km. Rs. 654 Million was allocated and from which work relating to Rs. 315 million, amounting to 55% of the project has been completed.
60% work of the Bogahawewa-Pulmuddai road which was in a dilapidated status has been completed utilizing Rs. 320 million from the Rs. 562 million allocated by the Ministry of Highways. The Highways Ministry also spent Rs. 250 million for the reconstruction of the first 7 km of theTrincomalee-Pulmuddai road. A further amount of Rs. 220 million has been spent for the reconstruction of the sector from 47.5 to 55.23 km. From the Rs. 2450 million estimated for the reconstruction of the Ambepussa-Kurunegala-Trincomalee road 52% of the work has been completed amounting to an expenditure of Rs. 1,650 million.
The government was able to reconstruct all the bridges on these roads within this short period. From the estimated amount of Rs. 10,400 million for the reconstruction of Upparu, Gangadhi, Ravalkuli, Verugal, and Kayannehi bridges on the Batticaloa-Trincomalee and Elle-Kantale roads, Rs. 750 million has been spent.
90% of the work has been completed on the Pirannadi Bridge on Pudavainanvu-Yanoya road estimated to cost Rs. 1200 million. Rs. 700 million has been spent for the rebuilding of the Kinniya Bridge on the Batticaloa-Trincomalee road.
Urban Development
Urban Development work from Kantalai to Trincomalee is underway under the New Town Plan of Trincomalee. From the Rs. 395 million allocated for the re-building of the Trincomalee District Secretariat Office, more than 50% of the work has been completed expending Rs. 224.4 million.
Kantale Bus Depot
The expenditure being spent for the construction of Kantale Bus Depot and the Trade Complex amounts to Rs. 134 million. Work has been started expending an amount of Rs. 47 million. The amount allocated for the Kantale Leelaratne Stadium is Rs. 88 million.
(Source: www.development.lk – 01st January, 2010)