by Melani Manel Perera

During inaugural ceremony for the bridge in Arugam Bay, President Rajapaksa stresses the importance of security for development. Population backs plan for economic growth.

Ampara (AsiaNews) – “The endeavour and commitment of the government is to ensure the victory of  the people regardless of any challenge,” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday during the inauguration ceremony of a newly constructed bridge (see photo) in Arugam Bay, Ampara District, in the north-eastern part of the country. The old bridge was destroyed by the December 2004 tsunami.

The Sri Lankan president thanked the United States for its assistance, both technical and financial, in realising the new structure. He also stressed that this was only “the first in a series of public work projects” designed to “promote the development of the nation” and favour the “growth of tourism”

The project benefited from the improvement of the overall security situation, despite some episodes of violence, the latest involving a journalist, who was with a friend, attacked by an unidentified group.

The new bridge is part of a plan called Nagenahira Navodaya (eastern awakening) that the Sri Lankan government is implementing to improve living conditions for farmers, fishermen and national industries.

The state-of -the-art bridge cost US$ 10 million and was well-received by the public.

“Thanks to the government’s development plan life is getting better. Now we have a new good hospital, schools for our children and good roads. They are very essential needs and we are happy now,” said a Muslim hotel worker and father of four. He is hopeful that many foreigners will travel to the north to discover its beauty.

 

• sri
• lanka
• ampara
• arugam
• bay
• bridge
• economic
• development
• tsunami