Under the Samurdhi national development program, ‘one main production project for one village’, implemented in 2017 by the government, the Paravahera South Grama Niladari division in the Matara district has been selected as the best division.
According to project officials, the blacksmith industry is the mainstay of the economy of the people living in this village. Next is, the gem and jewellery industry, pottery and manufacture of bricks and tiles.
Amid various shortcomings, the people have been engaged in these industries, the lack of physical resources being a main obstacle in their way.
The aim of the Samurdhi Development Department is to create more novel industries in the villages, and thereby improve the living conditions of the people. A sum of rupees 70 million has been allocated to develop these industrial ventures in the villages.
The construction of houses for low income families is also under way, while all access roads to the villages would be improved, project officials said.
The Samurdhi Development branch of the Matara District Secretariat has implemented these programs on the instructions of the Matara District Secretary Pradeep Rathnayake, the officials said.