Master Plan First Year Anniversary

MEDIA RELEASE
Monday, February 19, 2007

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AMPARA TOWN – Hon. Ferial Ashraff, Minister of Housing & Common Amenities, together with senior officials from her Ministry, and representation from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) visited the Canadian Agro Sustainability Partnership’s (CASP’s) main Ampara District Master Plan office today to recognize completion of the first year of CASP’s Ampara District Master Plan project.

After CASP signed an MOU with the Ministry of Housing and Ministerial Task Force in June 2005 to undertake the Ampara District Master Plan, funding for the project was sought and received from Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The project began on January 10, 2006, with the Ampara Town office in place in February of that year as CASP’s main project site in the District to undertake Master Plan activities. Additional offices were soon opened in Kalmunai and Akkaraipattu, and these have been followed by a number of Demonstration Project sites throughout Ampara District.

As CASP now has the second year of its activities well underway, it is working with many donors, International Non Government Organizations, local NGOs and CBOs and is receiving ongoing support and direction from the Government of Sri Lanka. Minister Ashraff and the Ministerial Task Force have responsibility within the Government of Sri Lanka for CASP’s preparation of the Ampara District Master Plan, and CIDA is providing ongoing funding support for CASP’s activities. The Master Plan includes all sectors of socio-economic development in Sri Lanka and is to provide a way forward for the next 15-20 years. It encompasses tsunami reconstruction, conflict reconstruction, and socio-economic opportunities for the District.