Deputy Minister of Defence Chairs Coordination Meeting to Address Issues in Perakumgama Ranaviru Land Development Project

A coordination meeting aimed at resolving issues affecting the Diyabeduma Perakumgama Ranaviru Housing Project in the Elahera Divisional Secretariat Division and expediting the development of its infrastructure facilities was held at the Office of the Deputy Minister of Defence on 17 June. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).

The primary objective of the discussion was to identify immediate solutions to the issues faced by the veteran beneficiaries of the housing project, reactivate stalled development activities, and coordinate matters requiring attention during an upcoming inspection visit to the project site.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the failure of beneficiaries to settle in the area as planned has contributed to an increase in human-elephant conflict in the locality. It was also noted that several essential infrastructure development initiatives, including water supply, electricity, and road construction, have been delayed.

To address these issues, the Deputy Minister instructed the Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha and the Divisional Secretariat to work jointly to provide prompt solutions to the drinking water shortage through small-scale water supply and community-based projects. He further directed that the road network within the Ranaviru land settlement be improved without delay through the direct intervention of the local authority.

Special attention was also given to preventing the leasing of allocated lands to external parties and curbing any unauthorized ownership claims that may arise as a result of such practices.

The meeting was attended by senior officials representing the Ministry of Defence, the Ranaviru Seva Authority, the Directorate of Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation of the Sri Lanka Army, the Welfare Directorates of the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, the Police Welfare Division, the Department of Civil Security, and the Army Survey Branch.

The Deputy Minister is scheduled to undertake an inspection visit to the Elahera Parakumgama Ranaviru Land Development Project in the coming days to inspect the implementation of the decisions reached and assess the progress of the project.