The Ministry of Education made a request to the Ministry of Defence on the possibility of the security forces playing a in building 1,000 National Schools at a cost of Rs.3.5 Billion. A letter to this effect had been sent by Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena to Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa recently.
The government came up with the plan last year to develop 1,000 National Schools equipped with modern facilities, while developing 5,000 primary schools in the country.
It plans to develop 1,000 National Schools with a minimum of three schools in each of the Divisional Secretariat Divisions. The programme will provide a solution to many of the problems in the education system.
The government plans to upgrade 5,000 primary schools island wide parallel to the 1,000 National Schools programme.
The Army is in the process of forming a separate company within its management to carryout development and construction projects at low cost.
Meanwhile the Army had been selected as a possible sub-contractor to build an oil pipeline to Kolonnawa by an American Company.
The Army has also been able to save more than Rs.300 million to the government by carrying out such projects ranging from constructing houses to road construction projects. These are carried out by Army Engineers supported by a large number of soldiers from every regiment.
A large number of bridges, buildings, playgrounds and parks are also being built by the Army. The Army was also involved in certain aspects in the construction of the Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium. (Supun Dias)
20 January 2012
DM