Ratnapura District Coordinating Committee – 14.08.2026

The Ratnapura District Coordinating Committee meeting was held today (14th) at the main auditorium of the District Secretariat. The session was chaired by Mr. Shantha Padmakumara, Member of Parliament for Ratnapura District and Chairman of the District Coordinating Committee, and convened by Mr. M.G. Lalith Ananda, Ratnapura District Secretary / District Government Agent and Secretary to the District Coordinating Committee.

During the meeting, Mr. Darshana Samarasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Lands, Provincial Irrigation, Agriculture, Animal Production & Health, and Fisheries (Sabaragamuwa Province), provided a special presentation on the "Sabaragamuwa Saviya" loan scheme.

Mr. Samarasekara stated that LKR 270 million has been allocated for this credit scheme. It is designed to offer loans ranging from a minimum of LKR 25,000 to a maximum of LKR 5 million across various sectors, including agriculture, animal production, ornamental fish, and freshwater fisheries, at a concessionary interest rate of just 3%. Furthermore, circular No. 01/2026 has already been issued by the Secretary to the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Agriculture Ministry regarding this initiative.

Additionally, the committee was briefed on a proposed private investment project to construct the Ratnapura Weralupa Water Park, Water Sports, and Entertainment Center. The Committee granted initial concurrence for the proposed construction plan, subject to obtaining the necessary clearances from the relevant government authorities.

Furthermore, it was decided to conduct joint raids by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Sri Lanka Police to prevent illegal gem mining along the Wey Ganga and to take strict legal action against the suspects.

The Committee also reviewed development activities in several sectors, including education, sports, highways, agrarian services, agriculture, environment, wildlife, forest conservation, and tourism.

The event was organized by the District Planning Division, led by District Director (Planning) Mr. M.K.L. Jayasinghe. Members of Parliament for Ratnapura District, including Mr. Sunil Rajapaksha, Dr. Janaka Senaratne, Attorney-at-Law Nilusha Lakmali, and Attorney-at-Law Hesha Withanage, alongside Ratnapura Mayor Mr. Indrajith Katugampala and numerous government officials, attended the meeting.

District Media Unit,
District Secretariat / Department of Government Information,
Ratnapura.