The government has launched the ‘Parakum Legacy’ tourism village development project in Polonnaruwa with an investment of Rs. 100 million under the national ‘Praja Shakthi’ poverty alleviation programme.
The project, which commenced on Friday under the patronage of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Minister Dr. Upali Pannila, will develop the Ethumalpitiya and Muniyandi Grama Niladhari divisions in the Thamankaduwa Divisional Secretariat as tourism villages.
Planned developments include kayaking facilities at Ethumal Wewa, traditional boat rides, wildlife viewing, a handicraft village, shopping stalls, and local and international food outlets aimed at attracting both local and foreign tourists.
The minister said the project is the first in a series of tourism village initiatives planned across the country under the ‘Praja Shakthi’ programme. He added that Rs. 618 million has been allocated for development activities in the Polonnaruwa District, including the Rs. 100 million earmarked specifically for the Parakum Legacy project.
He said the project aims to improve livelihoods, strengthen the local economy, create new business opportunities through tourism, add value to local products, and generate foreign exchange for the country. (Newswire)
