(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed ministry officials to complete projects worth Rs. 500 million under the Surakimu Ganga (Protect Rivers) project in the first quarter of 2022.
The government has allocated Rs. 2 billion for this program next year and the Minister has requested the officials to propose new projects to conserve the river system making the maximum use of the money.
The Minister has given these instructions during a discussion held on identifying the projects to be implemented next year under the Surakimu Ganga program.
The government has taken steps to allocate a large amount of money to the Ministry of Environment through next year’s budget and this money should be divided into four quarters and the money allocated for each quarter should be spent accordingly, the Minister has informed.
The Ministry will receive the money due for the next quarter only if the money for the first quarter is fully spent. Therefore, the Minister pointed out to the Ministry officials that the money allocated for the relevant quarter should definitely be spent on those projects.
“We must give priority to the Kelani, Walawe and Menik rivers this year. We will provide funding for other river related projects. However, the cleaning of the Kelani River should be given priority,” the Minister emphasized.
