(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Steps have been taken to implement an expeditious program to develop tourist attractions in the Matara District, Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga said.
Minister Ranatunga participating in the Matara District Livelihood Development Committee meeting on Friday (15) said he focuses on further popularizing the tourist attractions located in the Matara District. He added that the tourist attractions along the 41 km coastline is expected to be developed further.
A special program is also being implemented to uplift agriculture and irrigation facilities in the district, he said.
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga instructed the officials to increase the allocations required for the cultivation of fallow paddy lands in the Matara District and for the renovation of paddy warehouses.
Steps have been taken to allocate Rs. 1.1 billion for this purpose. More than Rs. 200 million has been allocated for the development of agriculture in the district.
Under this, a number of development programs are being carried out, including the establishment of a seed processing unit for seed outlets and an increase in the production capacity of Telijjawila seeds and planting material.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of State Kanchana Wijesekara, Matara District Coordinating Committee Chairman Nipuna Ranawaka and Parliamentarian Weerasumana Weerasinghe were also present at the discussion.
