Colombo, Sri Lanka, June 29 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release:

The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.), conducted a special inspection visit to the Diyabeduma Parakumgama Ranaviru Housing Project in the Elahera Divisional Secretariat Division on 26 June, to assess measures required to resolve prevailing issues affecting the project and to expedite the development of its infrastructure.

The primary objective of the visit was to identify practical solutions to the challenges faced by the veteran beneficiaries of the housing project, accelerate its future development activities, and ensure more effective coordination among the relevant stakeholders based on the observations made during the inspection.

During a special discussion during the visit, it was revealed that the increasing wild elephant threat in the area was largely due to many of the beneficiaries not occupying their allocated lands. It was also observed that several essential infrastructure projects, including water supply, electricity, and road development, had stalled. To address these issues without delay, the Deputy Minister instructed the officials, during the discussion held at the weekly fair premises, to work jointly through the Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha and the Divisional Secretariat to implement small-scale water supply schemes and community-based projects to provide a sustainable solution to the drinking water problem.

The inspection was attended by the Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Hon. T. B. Sarath; District Secretary - Polonnaruwa, Commander- Security Forces (East), Additional District Secretary, Chairman of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, and senior representatives of other relevant government institutions.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.