Annual Report 2008 - Ministry of Finance and Planning

1. Macro Economic Perspectives
40
Box 1.1
Initiatives for Pro Poor Growth Contd.
Improved Infrastructure in Lagging Regions
Reduction of regional disparities in development in the
country has been attempted through a number of specific
interventions. Development of rural infrastructure facilities
and promotion of livelihood opportunities in lagging regions
where the poverty incidence are significantly high, has
been given high priority. In 2008, under the Gama Neguma
programme, 32,903 infrastructure development projects were
completed in 23 districts ensuring a speedy change in the
rural sector. In addition, around 1,900 livelihood development
projects and 919 infrastructure development projects were
implemented in the poverty stricken Badulla and Moneragala
districts with the community participation.
2,958 million in 2008. In addition, the plantation community
was provided with accessibility to the basic public utilities.
Accordingly, 210 km of roads, 1,428 houses and 2,637 latrines
in the estate sector were constructed under the Estate Sector
Infrastructure Development Programme in 2008.
Increased Welfare Benefits
The Samurdhi movement is the key safety net programme
implemented by the government to reduce the poverty
among the ultra poor. The allowance paid to the Samurdhi
beneficiaries was Rs. 9,455 million in 2008. Further, 135,000
families have been uplifted from Samurdhi Programme as
they have graduated from the sever poverty. However, still
around 38 percent of the total population or 1.6 million
families receive benefits from the Samurdhi Cash Grant
Programme. The annual cost of the programme is around
Rs 9,500 million.
Gamidiriya project reached its fourth year of implementation
of its phase 1. Under this programme, Rs.1,663 million
has been spent for rural infrastructure development and
livelihood improvement in 2008.
Reduction of poverty in the estate sector has also been
attempted through implementation of a number of skills
development and entrepreneurial development programmes
for estate sector youth. The total expenditure of the
programmes has increased from Rs. 1,036 million in 2007 to Rs.
Ministry of Finance and Planning Sri Lanka
Annual Report 2008