July 24, Colombo: The government of Sri Lanka said today that the Ministry of Finance has allocated Rs. 6.5 billion for the implementation of projects for the economic development of the Eastern Province.

In his weekly press briefing the Defence Affairs spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said today that a strong foundation will be laid with the implementation of an accelerated development program scheduled to be completed in 180 days.

The Minister stressed that the establishment of civil administration is a pre-requisite for the attainment of political freedom of the people of the East, a challenge the government is prepared to face as LTTE continue to terrorize the people.

The Minister urged the general public to be constantly vigilant of suspicious activates as police personnel from the south will have to be transferred to serve in new police stations that are established in the East. He said 30,000 more security personnel are needed for service in the East.