{
  "id": 7024887,
  "title": "Developing the country by helping villages",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/developing-the-country-by-helping-villages",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T23:45:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/developing-the-country-by-helping-villages/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mr. R.M.Amerasekera's article on improving rural households and villages to contribute to national development sparked interest. The author reflects on their experience in the public service where they worked on projects to enhance rural living conditions. One such project was led by a down-to-earth politician, D.B.Wijetunga, who served as Minister for Highways and Power & Energy. During his tenure, Wijetunga prioritized road improvements and allocated more funds to Provincial and District Road Committees. He also emphasized the importance of expanding footpaths and providing transportation for farmers, such as tractors and small vans for school children.\n\nWijetunga's interest in electrification led him to consult his Secretary, Prof. K.K.Y.W. Perera, about securing a loan from the Asian Development Bank. The bank agreed to provide funding, but only for financially viable villages. A survey was conducted to identify eligible villages, which was overseen by Engineer Maxie Tissera. Parliament members contributed to the project by using their decentralized budgets to provide electricity to villages that were not initially listed.\n\nThe author, G.A.Sirimal, expressed pride in their involvement in both projects during their career as an Assistant Secretary to the Ministries for Highways and Ministry for Power & Energy.",
  "summary": "Mr. R.M.Amerasekera’s recent article on how improving rural households and villages contributes to national development (Sunday Island Aug. 23) was interesting reading as I, during my long years in the public service, was privileged to be associated with projects to improve the living conditions of rural folk. In this context, mention should be made of […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Mr. R.M.Amerasekera's article on rural development sparks interest",
    "D.B.Wijetunga prioritized road improvements and funds for villages",
    "Asian Development Bank funds electrification for financially viable villages"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prioritizing rural development and involving local leaders and parliament members in project implementation can help bridge the gap between villages and national progress.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}